Senior Research Economist - Applied Economic Forecasting

UNC-Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise seeks a Research Associate Professor or Research Professor with expertise in applied economics to lead the North Carolina Advanced Economic Forecasting Initiative. The role emphasizes forecasting methodologies, public-facing analysis, and collaboration with partners across academia, government, and industry.

The candidate will supervise analysts and translate complex data into practical insights for county

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in economics or related field.
• Experience with county, regional, state, or local economic data.
• Ability to forecast, nowcast, and build scenario models.
• Experience communicating analysis to policymakers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and disseminate applied economic research and forecasts.
• Develop and validate forecasting methodologies and scenarios for North Carolina.
• Translate complex results into actionable insights for policymakers, counties, and economic developers.
• Collaborate with colleagues, external partners, and data analysts; mentor junior staff and students.

Skills

County-level data

Forecast models

GDP indicators

Policy communication

Public data sources

Model performance

Mentoring

NC economy

Academia-practical balance

Education

Ph.D. in Economics/Financial Economics/Public Policy or related field

Tools

BEA

BLS

Census

ACS

QCEW

LAUS

Zillow

Freddie Mac

Lightcast

Job description

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise seeks a Research Associate Professor or Research Professor with expertise in applied economics to lead the North Carolina Advanced Economic Forecasting Initiative. The role emphasizes forecasting methodologies, public-facing analysis, and collaboration with partners across academia, government, and industry.

The candidate will supervise analysts and translate complex data into practical insights for county