Predoctoral Research Associate | ND Pop

Position Overview

The University of Notre Dame’s Poverty Initiative is charged with establishing Notre Dame as a premier university in poverty-related research, student formation, and policy and program impact. Funds from this initiative have been used to bolster population-related research in the social sciences through the establishment of Notre Dame Population Analytics (ND Pop). ND Pop will be hiring a Predoctoral Research Associate who will work with faculty in the Department of Economics to assist in their empirical research.

This position will work under the direction of applied microeconomists Evan Mast and Rob Collinson. Both Mast and Collinson specialize in urban economics. The predoc will assist on a variety of projects analyzing housing construction costs, historical neighborhood geography, eviction interventions, and the effects of housing voucher policies.

Research associates will perform a variety of tasks including coordinating project logistics, creating analysis files, statistically analyzing data, helping to create presentations, editing research papers, assisting in the preparation of grant proposals, assisting in the writing of IRB protocols and data sharing agreements (if necessary), and assisting in the dissemination of project results.

The job begins February 1, 2026 and the ideal candidate will commit to 2 years in this role. This is a two‑year limited‑term position based in South Bend, IN at the University of Notre Dame.

• A commitment to the mission of the University
• Undergraduate degree in economics, mathematics, or related social science field
• Training in econometric and statistical techniques employed in causal inference
• Statistical programming experience in Stata or R
• Highly organized with ability to juggle multiple demands simultaneously
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Self‑directed with willingness to take initiative over project tasks and explore potential solutions

• Experience working as a research assistant

December 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).

We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.