Research Assistant

About the role

Join the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Research Assistant Program and work alongside economists and researchers on important questions facing the economy, financial markets, businesses, and households. As a Research Assistant, you will gain hands-on experience across the research process, including managing data, conducting econometric analysis, answering economic questions, and communicating results through compelling charts, written analysis, and presentations. You will contribute to both long-term research and timely policy analysis while building the technical and analytical skills needed for a successful career in economics. This is a two-year opportunity designed for recent graduates who want to deepen their research capabilities, explore the field of economics, and prepare for the next stage of their careers.

Responsibilities

Research Assistants work closely with economists and research staff across a range of economic and policy areas, including macroeconomics, microeconomics, finance, and regional economics. Responsibilities include:

• Collecting, cleaning, managing, and analyzing economic and financial data.
• Conducting statistical and econometric analysis and developing research code using tools such as Stata, R, Python, and MATLAB.
• Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing academic and policy research.
• Preparing charts, tables, written analysis, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Supporting research papers, publications, and time-sensitive policy analysis.
• Collaborating with economists, researchers, and other Research Assistants across projects.

Your Development

The Research Assistant Program provides opportunities to develop your research, technical, and professional skills through:

• Training in programming, econometrics, data analysis, and research tools.
• Research seminars featuring Chicago Fed economists and visiting scholars.
• Workshops, conferences, coursework, and other learning opportunities.
• Mentorship and professional development focused on graduate study and career planning.
• Building relationships across the Federal Reserve and broader research community.

The Research Assistant Program is designed to be an important step in your career. RAs pursue futures in either graduate studies of economics, public policy, finance, law, and data science or continue with careers across government, academia, and industry.

Qualifications

We seek candidates with:

• A bachelor's degree or higher in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics, computer science, data science, public policy, or a related field with strong economics and mathematical coursework.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with statistical programming languages such as Stata, R, Python, or MATLAB.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Curiosity, initiative, and a demonstrated interest in economics, research, or public policy.

Previous research experience is valued but not required. We welcome candidates with a range of academic and professional experiences who demonstrate the skills and intellectual curiosity needed to succeed.

What We Offer

• Full-time, two-year position with competitive salary and benefits.
• Direct collaboration with economists and research staff.
• Structured training, mentorship, and professional development.
• Opportunities to participate in coursework, workshops, conferences, and seminars.
• Opportunities to contribute to Chicago Fed research and publications, including potential opportunities for joint authorship.
• A collaborative and supportive Research Assistant community.

Pay

The expected starting salary for this position is $75,000 annually in addition to annual performance-based discretionary bonuses. Final salary and offer will be determined based on the applicant's relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and alignment with geographic and other market data.

How To Apply

Please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Undergraduate transcript(s) — unofficial transcripts are acceptable
• Two references with name and contact information
• At least one letter of recommendation — submitted directly to ResearchAssistantLOR@chi.frb.org by your recommender with your LAST NAME, FIRST NAME in the subject line

Important note: When asked to upload your resume in the Workday Portal, you must upload all supplementary application documents. There will not be an additional prompt to upload documents 2, 3, & 4. You must upload all documents on the same page as your resume. Failure to do so will result in postponing the review of your application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. For questions, contact RA.Recruiting@chi.frb.org.

Learn more about the Chicago Fed Research Assistant Program: https://www.chicagofed.org/research/research-assistant

Additional Requirements

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position has additional screening requirements due to the information accessed while performing the job. These additional screenings would be initiated at the time of offer acceptance and can take approximately two months to be completed. The screening covers areas such as education/employment verification, criminal history, credit history, and reaches out to your references and people that know you well.

As a condition of employment, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago employees must comply with the Bank's ethics rules, which generally prohibit employees, their spouses/domestic partners, and minor children from owning securities, such as stock, of banks or savings associations or their affiliates, such as bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies. If you or your spouse/domestic partner or minor child own such securities and would not be willing or able to divest them if you accepted an offer of Bank employment, you should raise this issue with the recruiter for this posting, who can provide you contact information for our ethics official if necessary.

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