Senior Research Scientist

Federal Reserve System•Boston, MA

8d•$136,500 - $204,700•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Scientist leads original applied research in a relevant field of specialization for the Regional & Community Outreach Department (R&CO), with the goal of producing work for professional publication, either generally or internally refereed. The research aims to build knowledge, inform Bank leadership, and help develop evidence-based strategies supporting the economic well-being and mobility of low- and moderate-income communities and families in New England. Topics may include the prosperity of smaller cities and rural areas, financial opportunity and wealth, employment outcomes, and monitoring community economic conditions. Research should inform policy and organizational work through relevant background, empirical analysis, and explanation of how findings may apply to low- and moderate-income communities. The role communicates research to the public and key stakeholders, research communities, media, and leadership across the Federal Reserve System. It also provides direction and advice to less experienced social scientists and other staff. The position requires full-time in-office or in-field work, with some flexibility; it is anticipated to be onsite. Employees residing within the First District are expected to remain located within the district unless otherwise approved by management and HR. The position requires knowledge normally acquired through, or equivalent to, a Ph.D. in a relevant social science field, plus 3–5 years of job-related experience. Candidates should have excellent quantitative analysis skills, advanced expertise in a statistical programming language, experience leading or co-leading large research projects, demonstrated research and publishing capability, expertise in a relevant specialized discipline, independent analytical judgment, and excellent written and communication skills.

Requirements

A Ph.D. degree in a relevant social science field, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
A minimum of 3–5 years of job-related experience.
Excellent quantitative analysis skills.
Advanced expertise in a statistical programming language, such as R, Stata, or SAS.
Experience leading or co-leading large research projects.
Demonstrated research capability and publishing expertise.
Experience in a specialized discipline relevant to R&CO’s work.
Ability to work independently on analytical projects.
Excellent written and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to applied research using empirical methods and analysis to build subject-matter expertise.
Conduct analyses to standards expected for academic peer review.
Write research for department and external publication.
Select research topics relevant to improving conditions for low- and moderate-income populations, informed by research literature, department leadership, R&CO engagement teams, and community stakeholders.
Perform descriptive data analyses across relevant topics and other duties as assigned.
Work with Corporate Communications to expand the reach and impact of research.
Provide written communications and oral presentations to Bank leadership, internal staff, colleagues at other Reserve Banks, and external government, academic, and other communities.
Attend and present research at Bank, academic, business, and international meetings, conferences, and workshops.
Speak to non-professional audiences about areas of expertise and economic developments, and answer questions from the media and public.
Organize workshops, seminars, or conferences as requested.
Evaluate others' work and advise colleagues on research, publications, and policy analysis.
Assist in staff recruitment.
Contribute to the broader R&CO department and collaborate with colleagues working across the region.
May manage the Visiting Fellows Program, which involves up to three external researchers per year working with Fed research partners to publish briefs.
May work with senior management and the Board of Governors, provide briefings and presentations supporting the Bank President’s policy obligations, and supervise Policy Analysts.
Keep abreast of theoretical and empirical developments and recent policy-relevant economic and financial trends.
Contribute to advances in social scientific theory, evidence, and research methods, and apply those advances independently to research and policy or practice.