Post-Doctoral Associate Division of Social Science; Economics; Dr. Torsten Figueiredo Walter & Dr. Luca Maria

Sep 22, 2026

We are inviting applications for a Post-doctoral Associate in the Division of Social Science at NYU Abu Dhabi from individuals who have no more than five years post-receipt of the PhD or will soon receive a PhD in economics, demography, international development, sociology, public policy, or a closely related field. The appointment will begin September 1, 2027, subject to final budget approval and is available for up to three years.

The post-doctoral associate will spend half their time on independent research, and half their time on collaborative research with Professors Torsten Figueiredo Walter and Luca Maria Pesando. The collaborative research will be focused on exploring dynamics of household composition in low- and middle-income countries. The project challenges static concepts of the household by examining fluid structural changes across time and space.

The study quantifies global variations in household size and composition, assesses their relationship with economic development, and evaluates their impact on poverty metrics and intra-household decision-making.

We seek a candidate with interest in economic development, economic demography, and family studies, and expertise with large-scale household surveys, censuses, and applied data analysis. Ability to handle large volumes of data and familiarity with household surveys, such as labor force and living standards measurement surveys, are required, alongside solid data analysis skills (R, Stata, Python, GIS, etc.) and familiarity with academic writing and publishing.

Familiarity with fieldwork and data collection processes is a plus.

The position does not require teaching, but it may be possible to get teaching experience for compensation. You would join a group of over 20 post-doctoral fellows and 70 faculty in the Division of Social Science.

About NYU Abu Dhabi

(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the top 30 universities in the world, making NYU Abu Dhabi the highest-ranked university in the UAE and MENA region. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship.

The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from over 120 countries and speak over 100 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.

NYUAD is committed to upholding a culture of non-discrimination, anti-harassment, dignity, and mutual respect; providing equal access and opportunity; and fostering academic excellence in learning, research, and teaching.

Students are drawn from among the world’s best. They are bright, intellectually passionate, and committed to building a campus environment anchored in mutual respect, understanding, and care. The NYUAD undergraduate student body has garnered an impressive record of scholarships, graduate-school admissions, and other global honors. Graduate education is an area of growth for the University; the current graduate student population of over 100 students is expected to expand in the next decade as…