Economics Research Specialist in Youth Transitions

The Department of Economics at Dartmouth College invites applications for an Economic Research Specialist in Youth Transitions. This is a full-time pre-doctoral fellow position in applied microeconomics. The fellow will work directly with Professor Eric Edmonds and additional co-investigators in the development of new research and the completion of ongoing projects, focusing on topics related to transitions from youth to adulthood in contemporary low-income environments and U.S. economic history. Applicants for this position should have a strong quantitative background, programming skills, and a long-term interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in economics, education, or public policy. The position is suited for applicants who will have completed their undergraduate degree by the summer of 2026 with coursework related to econometrics and have a demonstrated interest in economics subfields such as development economics, labor economics, or economic history.

The fellow's responsibilities include:

Data Construction and Analysis (50%)

• Write data scripts to read in, clean, and analyze datasets including large and sometimes raw or unstructured files
• Undertake analysis, trial-and-error, and cross-validation to ensure consistency and quality in data construction

Data Visualization: (20%)

• Prepare appropriate and understandable representations of data such as graphs, charts, tables, and summary statistics

Econometrics and Statistical Inference: (15%)

• Undertake descriptive and econometric data analyses
• Identify, troubleshoot, and propose potential solutions to problems that arise in the process of data analysis

Communication of research: (10%)

• Conduct literature reviews and background research for grant proposals and academic papers
• Summarize data analyses in writing for grant proposals and academic papers
• Generate detailed documentation and open-access code that other researchers can use to replicate, update, and extend data construction and analysis
• Assist with drafting and editing papers for publication

Coordination: (5%)

• Assist with management of research team, including mentorship of undergraduate students
• Track and report on project tasks and progress
• Coordinate and provide feedback to undergraduate research assistants

Economic Research Specialist (ERSs) will work with department faculty supporting and conducting scholarly research and teaching in anticipation of advancing their skills and experience to prepare for the next stage of their careers. ERSs are expected to contribute to all stages of research - including research design, literature searches, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data and writing reports and papers. ERSs may also have the opportunity to contribute in the classroom or in laboratory sections of courses, helping undergraduate students with labs, review sessions, paper editing and grading certain assignments.

This position is full-time for the Department of Economics at Dartmouth College with a start date as early as July 1, 2026. Appointments are typically for a 1-year period with the option of a 1-year extension upon satisfactory performance. Salary will be $60,000 plus benefits.

ERSs who are working in residence in Hanover, NH are eligible for Graduate Special Student status and the ability to take certain Dartmouth courses with the tuition paid by Dartmouth as a working condition fringe benefit. The benefit covers a maximum of 1 course per academic year the ERS is employed at the College.

Dartmouth is committed to academic excellence and encourages the open exchange of ideas within a culture of mutual respect. Dartmouth welcomes people with different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives and believes that diversity in all its forms enhances academic excellence. Applicants should address in their application letter how their research, teaching, service, and/or life experiences prepare them to serve Dartmouth's commitment to academic excellence in an environment that is welcoming to all.

• Bachelor's in Economics, or a related field, completed by the start of the appointment
• Intend to pursue graduate studies in Economics, Education, Public Policy or a related field
• Fluency in programming in Stata as gained through past research experience
• Previous experience from coursework or past research experience programming in another programming language

Please submit the following electronically via Interfolio:

1. Application letter that addresses:
   
   
   
   • relevant research-related experience,
   • any teaching or mentoring experience,
   • preparation to to serve Dartmouth's commitment to academic excellence in an environment that is welcoming to all,
   • educational and career goals and how the position would advance them.
   
   
   
   
2. CV/Resume
   
   
   
   • Name
   • Email and phone/text contact
   • Current position, or academic affiliation
   • Date of (expected) undergraduate degree
   • Academic concentration(s)
   • List all academic classes (and final grades) you have completed that focus primarily on economics, mathematics, statistics, computer science
   • Include programming languages and/or software and levels of proficiency.
   
   
   
   
3. Most recent academic transcript

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Recommendation letters will be requested only for finalists. For questions about the position, please contact Eric Edmonds at Eric.V.Edmonds@dartmouth.edu.