Research Assistant / Pre-Doctoral Fellow

Wellesley College • Wellesley, MA

10d • $53,000 - $58,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The WCW seeks a Research Assistant (RA) / Pre-doctoral Fellow for a full-time (with benefits) position. The RA will work closely with the PIs (Sari Pekkala Kerr and William R. Kerr) on a project related to the economics of minimum wages and inequality. The position is ideally suited for a candidate looking for pre-doctoral research experience, as the job will involve working on all major Census Bureau firm and person level data platforms and learning rigorous methods for data processing and econometric analysis. Research assistant must be willing to work full-time in the Federal Research Data Center (FRDC) located at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge MA. RA should ideally be ready to apply for or currently have restricted-access permission to use the Boston FRDC in Cambridge since permissions take about three to six months to process. Working in the RDC is an important component of the job. Skill set must be broad and deep in statistics and economics and must include excellent knowledge of STATA and other relevant statistical programs and experience working with large data sets. Research assistant must have some knowledge of US labor markets, labor economics, and family/household economics. Research assistant must be able to work effectively and closely with a team of other researchers exploring the dynamics of social mobility in the context of minimum wages and youth from low-income families.

Requirements

• Excellent communication and social skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, and effective at time management
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• BA or BS in economics or related field.
• Research / project experience such as a senior thesis or extensive term paper in economics.
• Coding skills (e.g. Stata or R).
• Experience with econometrics: coding skills (e.g. Stata or R).

Responsibilities

• Work in the Federal Statistical Research Data Center (RDC) with the PIs.
• Programming and analysis of large Census Bureau data sets.
• Produce statistical and econometric estimates for presentations and research papers.
• Assisting the PIs in other project related duties including literature review and drafting relevant sections of the research papers.
• Attend regular team meetings.
• Collaborate with other research assistants working in related projects.
• Maintain open communication with PI and seek supervision and feedback.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees