Senior Research Specialist I

Overview

The Industrial Relations Section (IRS), a center for research in labor economics and related fields, invites applications from motivated individuals for positions assisting faculty members in all aspects of their research.  Predoctoral research specialists join a pool and are assigned to work with one to two faculty at any given time.  Assignments can rotate on an annual basis so that research specialists gain experience with different types of research topics, tools, and methods. Current faculty are:

Zachary Bleemer

Pauline Carry

Ellora Derenoncourt

Will Dobbie

Simon Jäger

David Lee

Owen Zidar

The Section is renowned for its inclusive, supportive atmosphere, in which faculty, staff, and students interact in both formal and informal activities.  Section research staff also engage in professional development and social activities with research staff members in other Economics units and related units in the School for Public and International Affairs. For more about the section, see this video.  For more about support for research staff’s individual research, see posts about the recent local predoctoral research conference and a larger collaborative conference hosted at Yale University.

For more information, register for a Zoom info session with current research specialists.

INFO SESSION: September 25, 2026 1:30pm – 2:30pm ET

• 1:30pm – 2:00pm: Current staff will provide an overview and answer some FAQs- this will be recorded
• 2:00pm – 2:30pm: Current staff will take live questions from the attendees – not recorded.
• Contact Valerie Ching for access to the recording of the overview, if you are unable to attend.

Important Application Information

All interested applicants who will have earned a college degree by the spring of 2027 are encouraged to apply. We seek candidates who can start on or around July 5, 2027.  

This is a one-year term position with the potential for one additional year renewal.  Candidates who are eligible to commit to two years will be strongly considered.  The position is based in Princeton, NJ, and will be an in-person role.   The candidate must be eligible to work in the US; relocation would be the responsibility of the candidate (if applicable).  Princeton is a limited E-Verify employer.  This position is not eligible for STEM OPT extension; OPT is acceptable for one year only.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and as such, we encourage applicants to apply early. Short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview. Candidates are required to upload the following as a SINGLE PDF: (Upload to the "Other Documents" field in the online application.) 

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts (can be unofficial)
• Writing sample
• Code sample in PDF format
• Names and contacts for three references

Responsibilities

The Senior Research Specialist will be expected to:

• Assemble and manage data sets
• Process and analyze survey and census data
• Assist faculty members in the design, implementation, and management of surveys
• Write summaries of research
• Perform literature searches and reviews
• Post and retrieve information from the Web

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum BA/BS degree in Economics or Math, or BA/BS in a related field with significant coursework in Economics, Math, and Statistics 
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Knowledge of statistics/econometrics
• Knowledge of statistical programming, particularly STATA

Preferred

• Knowledge of Unix or Linux 
• Knowledge of standard internet tools and HTML 
• Familiarity with standard social science or education-related data sources

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Standard Weekly Hours

Eligible for Overtime

Benefits Eligible

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)

Estimated Appointment End Date

Comments Related to End Date

Physical Capacity Exam Required

Valid Driver's License Required

Salary Range