Senior Economist, Center on Economic and Financial Power

Foundation for Defense of Democracies•Washington, DC

35d•$200,000 - $290,000•Hybrid

About The Position

FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) develops strategies to harness American economic power and strengthen the nation's economic security framework. CEFP focuses on protecting U.S. national security interests, deterring adversaries, and ensuring the integrity of global trade and financial systems. The center researches how rogue states use economic tools to undermine U.S. interests and develops actionable solutions leveraging America's financial strength. This role involves building economic models, analyzing trade and financial data, assessing supply chain security, examining the effectiveness of economic statecraft tools, and producing data-driven policy analyses.

Requirements

Advanced degree (master's or Ph.D.) in economics, international political economy, finance, or a closely related field - or equivalent professional experience analyzing trade, financial, and other relevant data.
10+ years of experience conducting quantitative economic or financial analysis, ideally involving trade data, customs records, financial transactions, or corporate ownership structures.
Demonstrated understanding of the U.S. and allied sanctions and export control architecture (OFAC, BIS, and equivalent regimes) and the emerging use of positive economic tools, investment, and economic alliances.
Fluency with large datasets and the tools to interrogate them (e.g., Stata, R, Python, SQL, or comparable), including the ability to build original models, analytical frameworks, and reproducible research workflows from messy or incomplete data.
An entrepreneurial research mindset with a demonstrated ability to identify consequential questions, build analytical approaches from scratch, and move comfortably across issue areas as policy priorities evolve.
A track record of producing clear, well-substantiated written analysis for non-technical, policy-level audiences under real-world deadlines.
The ability to comfortably brief senior government officials, corporate risk teams, and press on complex economic findings in plain, persuasive language.
High ethical standards and sound judgment handling sensitive, non-public, or classified-adjacent information.

Nice To Haves

Prior government, intelligence community, or regulatory experience touching sanctions, export controls, or financial crimes (e.g., Treasury, State, Commerce, or a relevant congressional committee) is a plus.
Experience with trade, finance, and shipping data platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, Panjiva, ImportGenius, Kpler) or financial intelligence and sanctions-screening tools is a plus.
Prior work at a think tank, government agency, research institute, or risk consultancy producing public-facing policy research is a plus.
Experience testifying before Congress, briefing government officials, or engaging with national or international press is a plus.

Responsibilities

Build original economic and data models to develop country-specific risk matrices, evaluate strategic economic relationships, policy shocks, and alternative scenarios.
Analyze global trade data, FDI flows, customs records, and financial transactions to identify adversary dependencies and chokepoints.
Develop replicable supply chain risk reports that expose vulnerabilities in critical industries, emerging technology sectors, and high-risk trade routes.
Examine how economic statecraft tools shape global power dynamics and assess their effectiveness.
Produce data-driven analyses that test policy options, quantify likely effects and tradeoffs.
Translate quantitative findings into long-form reports, policy memos, and other written products in collaboration with CEFP colleagues.