Predoctoral Research Fellow - Economics

Overview

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) we aim to translate scientific discovery into real‑world impact. Our mission is to bring together scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers and innovators to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology;
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture;
Climate Change & Managing CO₂; and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Economic research at EIT seeks a full‑time Predoctoral Research Fellow to work on the economic implications of AI and robotics under the guidance of Professor Andrew J. Scott. The fellow will contribute to a high‑profile, impactful research programme that bridges frontier developments in AI and robotics with fundamental economic theory and policy analysis.

The position combines broad research on the economic and social implications of AI and robotics with focused deep dives into specific issues.

Key responsibilities include:

collaborating with economists, data scientists and policy stakeholders; constructing datasets; performing empirical analysis; contributing to academic research papers as well as broader outputs that reach public and policy audiences.

• Implications of AI and robotics for economic growth, mechanisms and constraints
• Impact on the rate of innovation, knowledge diffusion and skill acquisition
• Implications for employment, labour markets, inequality and social security
• Impact on organizational structure and the nature of work
• Cross‑sectoral, country and group impacts and required policy responses
• Whether AI and robotics lead to abundance and its societal implications
• Interaction of AI and robotics with demographic changes and public finance implications

• Completed bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in Economics or a related discipline with substantial quantitative content
• Evidence of academic excellence and strong quantitative training, capable of addressing broad economic issues and detailed technical analysis
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and coordinate with diverse stakeholders
• Strong technical skills, including experience with statistics/econometrics, applied data work, causal inference, large datasets, reproducible research workflows, and proficiency with Python or R/Stata
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple research tasks simultaneously
• Curiosity, intellectual flexibility and a genuine interest in the broader economic and societal implications of technological change

The role offers exceptional training, mentorship, and exposure to researchers and policymakers shaping the field of AI and robotics economics.

• Two letters of reference
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• Writing sample (e.g., thesis chapter, research paper or substantial coursework paper)

One‑year, renewable annually subject to performance.