Research Professional – Stephane Bonhomme, Kirill Ponomarev, David Ritzwoller (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)
Becker Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago (BFI)
Summary
The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Professors Stephane Bonhomme, Kirill Ponomarev, and David Ritzwoller as part of BFI's Big Data Initiative and BFI's Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP). Successful applicants will collaborate on new and ongoing research in applied econometrics and econometric theory. The position will likely involve programming novel statistical procedures and conducting simulation experiments, as well as reading, understanding and summarizing current methodological papers in economics and statistics.
Job description
Job Summary
The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Professors Stephane Bonhomme, Kirill Ponomarev, and David Ritzwoller as part of BFI's Big Data Initiative and BFI's Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP). Successful applicants will collaborate on new and ongoing research in applied econometrics and econometric theory. The position will likely involve programming novel statistical procedures and conducting simulation experiments, as well as reading, understanding and summarizing current methodological papers in economics and statistics.
The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. The ideal candidate would begin on July 1, 2027 and work for BFI for one or two years before applying to graduate school in Economics or another quantitative social science.
Responsibilities
- Write programs in R, Python, or Matlab
- Construct figures and tables for economics papers
- Conduct literature reviews in economics and statistics
- Identify new data sources
- Editing tasks
- Other duties as assigned
Preferred Competencies
- Prior coursework in math, statistics and econometrics required
- Desired skills include advanced familiarity with numerical optimization and package development in R, Python, or Matlab. Although previous experience with any specific language is not essential, familiarity with at least one scripting language is encouraged.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Strong academic writing/communication skills
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Experience: Minimum of one year of work experience in a related job discipline. Experience gained through coursework may be counted as relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, computer sciences, engineering, or related STEM fields is highly desirable.
- Previous research assistance experience contributing meaningfully to faculty research.
- Advanced knowledge of research techniques and methods in relevant scientific field.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum of one year of work experience in a related job discipline
- Strong quantitative and programming skills
- Prior coursework in math, statistics and econometrics
- Familiarity with at least one scripting language (R, Python, or Matlab)
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Strong academic writing/communication skills
Benefits
- Professional development fund
- Employee benefits
Company overview
The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago (BFI) is a premier economic research institute dedicated to advancing the frontiers of economic knowledge through rigorous research and intellectual exchange. Named after Nobel laureates Gary Becker and Milton Friedman, the institute brings together leading economists from the University of Chicago and around the world to address fundamental economic questions and policy challenges. BFI serves as a hub for cutting-edge research across various economic disciplines, including macroeconomics, microeconomics, behavioral economics, and public policy. The institute organizes conferences, workshops, and seminars that foster collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. Through its research initiatives and educational programs, BFI contributes significantly to economic theory and evidence-based policy analysis, maintaining the University of Chicago's distinguished tradition of economic scholarship while addressing contemporary economic issues facing society.