Term Research Assistant

Overview

Full‑time Pre‑Doctoral Research Fellow with UC Berkeley Prof. Joseph S. Shapiro. I seek a highly skilled and driven individual to work on research covering environment/energy, public finance, trade, and health, collaborating closely with faculty co‑authors at other top universities. Previous candidates have enrolled in Ph.D. programs at top economics departments and co‑authored journal articles. The start date will ideally be summer or fall 2026, with flexibility.

I will hire on renewable one‑year contracts, preferring applicants who can work for two years. NBER provides a competitive salary and benefits.

• Managing projects
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Creating presentations
• Interviewing government and private‑sector stakeholders
• Writing and editing

Current topics include papers analyzing the economics of water‑quality policies, land‑use regulation, the efficiency and equity properties of environmental policies, and dynamic natural‑resource management. Some projects involve the analysis of confidential data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

I emphasize mentoring and training, and support fellows taking classes and attending seminars. Economics pre‑doctoral research assistants at UC Berkeley have an organized community with regular lunches including faculty from across campus to share institutional knowledge, graduate‑school workshops, and social events.

• Long‑term interest in pursuing research related to economics
• Ideal for candidates looking to develop empirical research skills before applying to Ph.D. programs in economics or related fields
• Prior background in environmental/energy economics is not required
• Strong technical background and programming and data skills are highly valued; experience with Python, Stata, and/or R is preferred
• Ability to work independently, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of economic principles
• Applicants who can work for two years are preferred
• Applications from groups under‑represented in economics are especially encouraged
• A BA/BS in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer/Data Science, or related disciplines is required; previous experience as a research analyst or independent‑research experience is preferred
• Mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory…