Applied Economist / Data Science Research Analyst

We seek an Applied Economist / Data Science Research Analyst with strong quantitative, programming, and data management skills to support applied policy work in regional economics, economic forecasting, and public-sector research. This early-career role is ideal for someone interested in applying data science and economic analysis to real-world policy questions, with opportunities to grow into greater analytical independence.

About the role

The position will support the use of modern data science and AI-assisted methods to organize, classify, and extract information from large collections of documents and unstructured data for use in databases and economic modeling.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of data pipelines, including data collection, automated data processing, and web scraping where appropriate.
• Clean, structure, validate, and integrate large and complex datasets from multiple sources.
• Use programming, AI-assisted tools, and natural language processing approaches to organize, classify, and extract information from large collections of documents and unstructured data.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, data validation checks, and preliminary diagnostics.
• Support applied economic modeling, including input-output analysis, regional economic analysis, local tax analysis, forecasting, and related quantitative methods.
• Prepare data visualizations, tables, maps, dashboards, and summary outputs to support reports and presentations.
• Contribute to internal databases, analytical tools, documentation, and reproducible workflows.
• Draft sections of reports, memos, and presentations and communicate findings clearly to academic, non-academic, and policy-relevant audiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, data science, public policy, statistics, computer science, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with web scraping, APIs, or automated data collection.
• Experience using AI-assisted tools, natural language processing, large language models, or related methods to process, classify, summarize, or structure text-based information.
• Experience working with large collections of documents, public records, regulatory filings, reports, or other unstructured data sources.
• Familiarity with tools such as IMPLAN, EViews, REMI, or similar.
• Experience with GIS tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar.
• Experience building data tools, dashboards, or visualization products.
• Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, Shiny, Dash, or similar visualization platforms.
• Interest or experience in regional economic, energy, or environmental policy.
• Experience contributing to policy reports, academic research, technical documentation, or public-facing analytical products.

Skills

• Strong programming skills with Python, R, or a similar language.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted workflows, natural language processing, large language models, or related tools for organizing and analyzing structured and unstructured data.
• Experience with data cleaning, transformation, validation, and documentation.
• Ability to conduct exploratory and descriptive data analysis.
• Interest in applied economic methods, including input-output analysis, regional analysis, econometrics, or forecasting.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to translate technical results into clear, policy-relevant insights.
• Proficiency in Excel for data handling, validation, and review.
• Ability to write clear, structured, and well-documented code.
• Willingness to learn new methods, software, and project-specific tools under guidance.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job occasionally requires traveling to attend meetings and programs.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range is $60,000 - $80,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Schedule

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. It is a restricted position dependent on funding and contingent upon funding availability. The role is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.