Research Associate 2027

Federal Reserve System; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Health care benefits

Pension

Job summary

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is seeking research associates to assist economists on a variety of policy and academic projects. You will write code, analyze time-series data, and contribute to literature reviews under mentorship from senior researchers.

Two-year, full-time program starting in June 2027, with exposure to seminars and collaboration across topics such as macroeconomics, finance, and regional economics. Strong quantitative training and programming skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics or related field with GPA 3.5+.
• Extensive coursework in econometrics, statistics, and mathematics.
• Experience with Stata, R, or MATLAB preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support two to three economists on academic and policy research.
• Write code to solve dynamic economic models and analyze data.
• Prepare literature reviews and contribute to policy briefings.
• Collaborate on long-term and short-term research tasks.

Skills

Research experience

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics

Econometrics coursework

Tools

Stata

R

MATLAB

Job description

Company

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

When you join the Federal Reserve—the nation’s central bank—you’ll play a key role, collaborating with a dynamic team of mission-driven professionals to strengthen and protect our economy and our communities.

Bring your passion and expertise, and we’ll provide the opportunities that will challenge you and propel your growth—along with a wide range of benefits and perks that support your health, wealth, and life. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes tuition assistance, generous paid time off, top-notch health care benefits, child and family care leave, professional development opportunities, a 401(k) match, pension, and more. All brought together in a work environment where you can truly find balance.

About the Opportunity

The Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is looking for highly motivated recent graduates to assist economists with academic and policy-oriented research full-time for 24 months starting in June of 2027. In addition to the Richmond-based positions, the Richmond Fed is also looking to hire a research associate (RA) based in Washington, DC, with travel to Richmond every six weeks required, to assist our economists who work with Census data; you can find more information and apply in this link here.

We are looking for candidates from a range of backgrounds, with different interests and perspectives. During the two years they spend in the Department, RAs receive direct mentorship from Research economists and a multitude of opportunities to learn through economist and RA interactions and projects. RAs also regularly attend seminars and lectures and give presentations in RA-led study groups. We provide a friendly and academically oriented environment where RAs can learn, grow and develop their own skills and interests, while contributing to our policy and research projects.

What You Will Do:

Each of our RAs is assigned to support two or three economists with their academic research. Projects cover a wide range of topics, including general equilibrium macroeconomic models, time-series econometrics, labor economics, financial economics, contract theory, public and health economics, industrial organization, and regional economics. Responsibilities include writing computer code to solve dynamic economic models, analyzing time-series and panel data, writing literature reviews, and helping with model derivations. RAs also use these tools to assist in the preparation of policy briefings. RAs may be asked to add new long-term projects to their responsibilities or collaborate in short-term tasks during their two years, depending on the economists needs and on their performance. The position is an excellent opportunity for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in economics.

Visit us online for more information about the Research Department and the RA program.

Application Requirements:

Please submit the following three documents in the Attachments/Resume/Cover Letter section of the application (please be sure to include ALL required documents listed here):

• Resume (CV)
• College transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable at this time; if you upload transcripts with a security certificate it may delay the review of your application.)
• Cover letter stating why you are a good match to the job, how you became interested in research, and how the RA experience will fit into your future academic or professional career. As an optional addendum to the cover letter, if relevant, you are also encouraged to explain anything unique about your education history (a transfer of schools, irregularities in your grades, or explaining what certain classes are on your transcripts). Although there is no length limit for the cover letter, addressing these issues should not take more than 250 words.

***Note that you should upload all three documents in the step where the system will prompt you to upload your resume.

Qualifications:

We are seeking candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and extensive coursework in economics (preferred), statistics (Econometrics required), and mathematics (Calc I and II required, Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or Real Analysis and similar advanced courses highly valued). Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Experience with computer programming and statistical analysis software packages (such as Stata, R and Matlab) is highly valued. Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Evidence of interest and experience in research in the form of previous work as a research assistant, or completion of a senior thesis or term paper, is a plus.

Discover the Reason Why So Many People Love It Here!

When you join the Richmond Fed, not only will you find a challenging and purposeful career, you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits and perks that support your health and wealth, including:

• Great medical benefits
• Pension and 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid volunteer leave
• Onsite amenities that make working here fun!

Other Requirements and Considerations:

• Candidates should review the Bank’s Employee Code of Conduct to ensure compliance with conflict-of-interest rules and personal investment restrictions.
• If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please notify [e-mail].
• Peraton Moderate: Sponsorship is not available for this role. The selected candidate will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility for this specific position requires U.S. Citizenship or three or more years of Permanent Resident (Green Card) status.
• The salary for this role is $67,000 annually.
• Salary offered will be based on the job responsibilities and the individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience as defined in the job qualifications.

Full Time / Part Time

Full time

Regular / Temporary

Regular

Job Exempt (Yes / No)

No

Job Category

Economics/Research Family Group

Work Shift

First (United States of America)

The Federal Reserve Banks are committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and job applicants in compliance with applicable law and to an environment where employees are valued for their differences.