Research Assistant

rb; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits

Mentorship

Professional development

Research collaboration

Job summary

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago invites recent graduates to join its Research Assistant Program, working with economists on data, econometrics, and policy analysis. You’ll develop technical skills and contribute to both long‑term research and timely policy work.

This two‑year program emphasizes training in programming and data analysis, with mentorship, seminars, and opportunities to contribute to Chicago Fed publications and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics, computer science, data science, public policy, or a related field with strong economics and mathematical coursework.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with statistical programming languages such as Stata, R, Python, or MATLAB.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, manage, and analyze economic and financial data.
• Conduct statistical and econometric analysis and develop research code in Stata, R, Python, and MATLAB.
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize academic and policy research.
• Prepare charts, tables, written analyses, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Support research papers, publications, and time-sensitive policy analysis.
• Collaborate with economists and researchers across projects.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in economics or related field

Tools

Stata

R

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Company Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Are you a curious, quantitatively skilled recent graduate who wants to understand how economic research informs real-world policy? Join the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Research Assistant Program and work alongside economists and researchers on important questions facing the economy, financial markets, businesses, and households.

As a Research Assistant, you will gain hands‑on experience across the research process, including managing data, conducting econometric analysis, answering economic questions, and communicating results through compelling charts, written analysis, and presentations. You will contribute to both long‑term research and timely policy analysis while building the technical and analytical skills needed for a successful career in economics.

This is a two‑year opportunity designed for recent graduates who want to deepen their research capabilities, explore the field of economics, and prepare for the next stage of their careers.

What You'll Do

• Collecting, cleaning, managing, and analyzing economic and financial data.
• Conducting statistical and econometric analysis and developing research code using tools such as Stata, R, Python, and MATLAB.
• Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing academic and policy research.
• Preparing charts, tables, written analysis, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Supporting research papers, publications, and time-sensitive policy analysis.
• Collaborating with economists, researchers, and other Research Assistants across projects.

Your Development

• Training in programming, econometrics, data analysis, and research tools.
• Research seminars featuring Chicago Fed economists and visiting scholars.
• Workshops, conferences, coursework, and other learning opportunities.
• Mentorship and professional development focused on graduate study and career planning.
• Building relationships across the Federal Reserve and broader research community.

The Research Assistant Program is designed to be an important step in your career. RAs pursue futures in either graduate studies of economics, public policy, finance, law, and data science or continue with careers across government, academia, and industry.

Who We're Looking For

• A bachelor's degree or higher in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics, computer science, data science, public policy, or a related field with strong economics and mathematical coursework.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with statistical programming languages such as Stata, R, Python, or MATLAB.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Curiosity, initiative, and a demonstrated interest in economics, research, or public policy.
• Previous research experience is valued but not required. We welcome candidates with a range of academic and professional experiences who demonstrate the skills and intellectual curiosity needed to succeed.

What We Offer

• Full-time, two-year position with competitive salary and benefits.
• Direct collaboration with economists and research staff.
• Structured training, mentorship, and professional development.
• Opportunities to participate in coursework, workshops, conferences, and seminars.
• Opportunities to contribute to Chicago Fed research and publications, including potential opportunities for joint authorship.
• A collaborative and supportive Research Assistant community.

Additional Details The expected starting salary for this position is $75,000 annually in addition to annual performance-based discretionary bonuses. Final salary and offer will be determined based on the applicant's relevant experience, skills, internal equi