Research Associate 2027

About the role

When you join the Federal Reserve—the nation's central bank—you’ll play a key role, collaborating with a dynamic team of mission-driven professionals to strengthen and protect our economy and our communities. Bring your passion and expertise, and we’ll provide the opportunities that will challenge you and propel your growth—along with a wide range of benefits and perks that support your health, wealth, and life. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes tuition assistance, generous paid time off, top-notch health care benefits, child and family care leave, professional development opportunities, a 401(k) match, pension, and more. All brought together in a work environment where you can truly find balance.

About the opportunity

The Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is looking for highly motivated recent graduates to assist economists with academic and policy-oriented research full-time for 24 months starting in June of 2027. In addition to the Richmond-based positions, the Richmond Fed is also looking to hire a research associate (RA) based in Washington, DC, with travel to Richmond every six weeks required, to assist our economists who work with Census data. We are looking for candidates from a range of backgrounds, with different interests and perspectives. During the two years they spend in the Department, RAs receive direct mentorship from Research economists and a multitude of opportunities to learn through economist and RA interactions and projects. RAs also regularly attend seminars and lectures and give presentations in RA-led study groups. We provide a friendly and academically oriented environment where RAs can learn, grow and develop their own skills and interests, while contributing to our policy and research projects.

Responsibilities

• Support two or three economists with their academic research.
• Projects cover a wide range of topics, including general equilibrium macroeconomic models, time-series econometrics, labor economics, financial economics, contract theory, public and health economics, industrial organization, and regional economics.
• Write computer code to solve dynamic economic models.
• Analyze time-series and panel data.
• Write literature reviews.
• Help with model derivations.
• Assist in the preparation of policy briefings.
• May be asked to add new long-term projects or collaborate in short-term tasks depending on economists' needs and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with extensive coursework in economics (preferred), statistics (Econometrics required), and mathematics (Calc I and II required; Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or Real Analysis and similar advanced courses highly valued).
• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Experience with computer programming and statistical analysis software packages (such as Stata, R and Matlab) is highly valued.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required.
• Evidence of interest and experience in research (previous work as a research assistant, or completion of a senior thesis or term paper) is a plus.
• U.S. Citizenship or three or more years of Permanent Resident (Green Card) status required for security investigation eligibility.
• Sponsorship is not available for this role.

Benefits

• Tuition assistance
• Generous paid time off
• Top-notch health care benefits
• Child and family care leave
• Professional development opportunities
• 401(k) match
• Pension
• Great medical benefits
• Paid volunteer leave
• Onsite amenities that make working here fun!

Pay

The salary for this role is $67,000 annually.

Schedule

Full time, Regular position, Exempt: No, Work Shift: First (United States of America).