Research Analyst — U.S. Economic Statistics
The Peterson Institute for International Economics, a leading think tank located near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC, seeks a full-time Research Analyst to work with senior fellows on a multi-year research project on the U.S. economic statistical system. The role involves conducting empirical analyses, reviewing economic data releases, and contributing to publications that enhance public understanding of U.S. economic statistics.
Responsibilities
- Conduct empirical analyses, in close collaboration with Dr. Kolko and other senior fellows, on the production, use, and quality of U.S. economic statistics
- Conduct systematic reviews of major U.S. economic data releases, comparing releases over time to identify changes in content, coverage, or presentation
- Trace and document relationships among economic data products and across federal statistical agencies
- Review laws, regulations, agency documents, and academic literature to support the development of analytical databases and research papers
- Conduct comparative empirical analysis drawing on cross-country evidence on the value and integrity of official economic statistics
- Draft summaries of research findings, literature reviews, and methodology notes for working papers, blog posts, and other project publications
- Help respond to questions and feedback on research papers from internal and external reviewers
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, data science, public policy, or a related social science field, with a minor or substantial coursework in economics
- Strong interest in U.S. economic statistics, federal statistical agencies, and economic measurement
- Authorization to work in the United States is required
- Proficiency in computer and data management tools
- Experience with and enthusiasm for using AI in research projects
- Commitment to reproducible analytical workflows, including version control and clear documentation of data sources, methods, and assumptions
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to summarize technical findings clearly for both expert and non-expert audiences
- Strong attention to detail and a temperament suited to fast, accurate work on time-sensitive reviews of economic data releases
- Finalists will be required to complete a coding assessment, administered by the Quality Control team
- Master's degree or with post-graduate research experience demonstrated through academic or professional positions
- Familiarity with major economic indicators and their underlying methodologies
- Experience coding for economic analysis in at least one of Python, R, or Stata; familiarity with multiple languages, and with pulling data from APIs and bulk-download tools
Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement: PIIE supports employee development by offering tuition reimbursement for higher education, including Associate, Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD programs. Full-time employees (working 30 hours or more per week) are eligible after six months of employment. Reimbursement is limited to $10,000 per semester (up to $20,000 per calendar year) and covers tuition, books, application fees, and course fees directly related to coursework. Employees must submit a written request at least four weeks before class enrollment and meet all other eligibility requirements, including maintaining a grade of B or higher.
- Premium Medical Plans: PIIE fully covers premiums for vision, dental, and life insurance for employees and their families.
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: PIIE prioritizes the well-being of its employees with a robust benefits package, including cost-effective medical plans through Aetna. These plans provide access to quality healthcare and cater to diverse individual needs.
- Metro Fare and Parking: PIIE covers your metro fare and parking costs, whether you commute by metro or drive.
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