Predoctoral Fellows - Princeton University

Povertyactionlab; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

RPDE – Predoctoral Fellows / Senior Research Specialists in Princeton, NJ seek predoctoral research assistants to aid economics faculty in poverty-focused research. Positions are two-year terms, starting Summer 2027, in-person in Princeton.

Responsibilities include empirical analysis, data work, and engagement with seminars and coursework. Ideal candidates will have BA/BS in economics, mathematics, or computer science, strong STATA/R skills, and an interest in empirical social science;

Qualifications

• BA/BS in economics, mathematics, or related field with strong coursework in econometrics and statistics
• Experience with statistical programming in STATA and/or R
• Demonstrated interest in empirical social science
• Excellent analytical, empirical, and writing skills demonstrated through independent work

Responsibilities

• Data collection, cleaning and analysis
• Survey design and implementation
• Literature reviews
• Field visits depending on project needs
• Training surveyors, running and editing interviews
• Admin support, including organizing logistics of experiments and data collection

Skills

Statistical programming

Empirical methods

Writing skills

Empirical social science

Data analysis

Education

BA/BS in economics, mathematics, or computer science

Tools

STATA

R

Python

Julia

MATLAB

Job description

Start Date (Earliest):

Start Date (Latest):

Start Date (Latest): 15 July 2027

Overview:

Based in Princeton’s School of Public & International Affairs, in collaboration with and housed in the Department of Economics, the Research Program in Development Economics carries out economics research on the causes and consequences of global poverty, with the goal of informing policy-making and thereby improving the lives of people living in low- and middle-income countries. We seek to hire talented and motivated predoctoral research specialists to assist several Economics faculty members working at RPDE.

Predocs will work with one or more of our faculty members, economists Pascaline Dupas or Seema Jayachandran (along with their co-authors), as well as RPDE post-doctoral fellows. This position is ideal for graduating seniors or master’s degree students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics or related fields. Candidates from any country are encouraged to apply.

This is typically a two-year term position renewable after the first year. Successful applicants willstart in summer 2027. The position is in-person, based in Princeton, NJ.

Responsibilities:

The position involves empirical analysis, including sophisticated statistical modeling, and could also involve theoretical work such as coding of model simulations. The position is structured to help individuals prepare for doctoral programs in economics (or related fields) by gaining valuable research experience. In addition to working closely with faculty, you will have opportunities to participate in Princeton’s vibrant academic life through attending seminars, attending classes, and interacting with students and other predocs in the Department of Economics and School of Public and International Affairs. Specific research activities that predocs will assist on include:

• Data collection, cleaning and analysis


• Survey design and implementation


• Literature reviews


• Field visits depending on project needs


• Training surveyors, running and editing interviews


• Admin support, including organizing logisticsof experiments and data collection

Qualifications:

• Essential Qualifications:
  
  
  
  • BA/BS in economics, mathematics, or computer science, or in a related field (e.g., public policy with significant coursework in economics, mathematics, statistics and/or programming)
  
  
  • Experience with statistical programming in STATA and/or R
  
  
  • Demonstrated interest in empirical social science
  
  
  • Excellent analytical, empirical, and writing skills, demonstrated through independent work (e.g. course paper, undergraduate thesis, or independent research)
  
  
  
  


• Preferred Qualifications:
  
  
  
  • Knowledge of STATA, R, Python, Julia, and/or Matlab
  
  
  • Experience with LaTex is desirable
  
  
  • Familiarity with standard social science data sources, internet tools, and HTML is desirable
  
  
  • Additional language besides English (in particular, French or Hindi).
  
  
  
  

RPDE – Predoctoral Fellows / Senior Research Specialists

2026-2027 - Hiring Cycle