Research Fellow, Stanford Law School

Commitment: Full-time, starting Summer 2027. Some applicants available to start earlier will also be considered. Fellowships last for one year, with the opportunity to renew for a second year based on performance and mutual agreement of the professor and fellow.

About the role

Assist Stanford Law School faculty, including economist Dr. John J. Donohue, in conducting policy-relevant empirical social science research. Designed for graduating seniors or recent college or master’s program graduates, the fellowship provides a unique opportunity for those considering graduate school, law school, and/or business school in the future.

Over the past 5 years, research fellows have matriculated in PhD programs at: Berkeley (Economics), Columbia (Economics), Harvard (Sociology), MIT (Economics), Northwestern (Economics), Penn State (Economics), University of Pennsylvania (Economics), University of Wisconsin-Madison (Economics). In the past 5 years, fellows have also matriculated in law school at Stanford Law School and Yale Law School.

Responsibilities

• Collecting, managing, and structuring quantitative datasets
• Conceptualization of suitable empirical methodologies and models
• Statistical analyses of complex datasets and interpretation of results
• Communication with government officials, industry stakeholders, and research collaborators
• Report writing and manuscript preparation
• Participating in the planning and performing/conducting research tasks by applying basic knowledge and understanding of scientific theory using precedents or other published guidelines
• Participate in the development and administration of survey instruments and rating scales requiring judgment in applying non-routine procedures or methods
• Analyze and summarize results for review with supervisor
• Audit the accuracy and validity of data
• Review and audit case report forms for completion and accuracy with source documents and ensure compliance with research protocols
• Identify, select, extract and summarize data and structured information; present summary of findings to supervisor
• Conduct literature searches, and write literature summaries and manuscripts
• Build and organize data as requested by principal investigator or supervisor; use common statistical programs
• Adapt new, nonstandard methods outlined by supervisor in designing and evaluating phases of research projects (e.g., educational materials, questionnaires, strategies for recruitment, data quality control procedures)
• Assist with development, communication and design of research findings to internal and external audiences (e.g., web updates, social media, white papers)

Requirements

• Experience in a quantitative discipline, such as economics, political science, computer science, statistics, or applied math
• Training in causal inference and/or machine learning methods
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the social sciences or another relevant field
• Outstanding academic credentials and intellectual creativity
• Eagerness to take initiative and solve intricate problems
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Exceptional research and analytical writing skills
• Programming experience in R, Python, Stata, and/or other languages is strongly preferred
• Prior research experience and coursework in the empirical social sciences is preferred, but not required
• General understanding of scientific theory and methods, typically gained through completion of an undergraduate degree in a related field
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with study participants

Benefits

• Eligibility to take and audit Stanford courses and attend on-campus lectures and seminars free of charge
• Opportunity to take one course per quarter, not to exceed a maximum of 5 units (paid for by the department), with approval from your faculty supervisor
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Access to campus athletic and academic facilities
• Paid vacation time
• Professional development funds

Pay

The budgeted salary range for this position is $31.40 to $35.00 per hour. If annualized based on working 2,080 hours/year, the range is equivalent to $65,312 to $72,800 per year. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.