Research Assistant Jobs in Behavioural Economics

🎓 Defining the Research Assistant Role in Behavioural Economics

A Research Assistant (RA) in Behavioural Economics is an entry-to-mid-level academic position where individuals support pioneering studies on human decision-making. This role combines economics with psychology to explore why people often deviate from rational choices predicted by classical theories. Unlike standard Research Assistant jobs, those in Behavioural Economics emphasize experimental methods to uncover biases like loss aversion or overconfidence. Originating from works by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky in the 1970s, the field gained prominence with Richard Thaler's 2017 Nobel Prize, leading to dedicated RA positions in universities worldwide.

These jobs involve assisting principal investigators in labs that test theories through controlled experiments, field studies, or big data analysis. For instance, an RA might design a survey on retirement savings choices influenced by framing effects, recruiting participants via platforms like Prolific. The work is collaborative, fast-paced, and impactful, often feeding into policy recommendations or journal publications.

Key Definitions

Behavioural Economics: A branch of economics that integrates insights from psychology to explain real-world decision-making, accounting for cognitive limitations, emotions, and social influences rather than assuming perfect rationality.

Prospect Theory: A foundational Behavioural Economics concept describing how people value gains and losses differently, leading to risk-averse behavior for gains and risk-seeking for losses.

Nudge: Subtle changes in choice architecture that predictably influence behavior without restricting options, popularized by Thaler and Sunstein.

📋 Core Responsibilities

Day-to-day duties include:

• Conducting literature reviews on topics like hyperbolic discounting.
• Programming experiments using oTree or PsychoPy software.
• Collecting and cleaning data from lab sessions or online panels.
• Performing statistical analysis to test hypotheses.
• Preparing reports, slides for conferences, and co-authoring papers.

RAs often manage participant ethics approvals through Institutional Review Boards (IRB), ensuring compliance with standards like those from the American Psychological Association.

Required Academic Qualifications

Most positions require at least a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Psychology, or a related field, but a Master's in Behavioural Economics or Behavioural Science is preferred for competitive research assistant roles. Quantitative coursework in econometrics, statistics, and experimental methods is essential. PhD candidates or recent graduates excel, as programs like those at University College London or Carnegie Mellon prioritize candidates with advanced training.

Research Focus or Expertise Needed

Expertise centers on human behavior in economic contexts, such as consumer choices, public policy, or finance. RAs should be familiar with lab paradigms testing endowment effects or default biases. Global hotspots include US institutions like MIT's Sloan School and Europe's Warwick Business School, where RAs contribute to interdisciplinary projects blending neuroscience and economics.

Preferred Experience

Employers favor candidates with 1-2 years in research labs, prior publications (even as co-author), or experience securing small grants. Involvement in summer schools like the Barcelona School of Economics or assisting with field experiments in developing countries adds value. Learn tips to thrive from resources like postdoctoral success strategies, adaptable to RA levels.

Essential Skills and Competencies

Key technical skills include proficiency in R, Python, Stata, or MATLAB for data analysis; Qualtrics or MTurk for surveys; and LaTeX for manuscripts. Competencies encompass critical thinking to spot experimental confounds, teamwork in diverse lab settings, and communication for presenting findings. Actionable advice: Practice by replicating classic studies like the Ultimatum Game and build a GitHub portfolio showcasing clean code.

Career Progression and Opportunities

Starting as an RA builds a pathway to PhD programs, policy roles at organizations like the World Bank, or industry positions in tech firms using behavioral nudges (e.g., Google's People + AI Research). The field is expanding, with a 20% job growth projected through 2030 due to applications in sustainability and health policy.

Next Steps for Aspiring RAs

To land Behavioural Economics Research Assistant jobs, customize your application with field-specific examples, network via Twitter/X academic threads, and monitor boards for openings. Explore broader opportunities on higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post your profile at post a job for recruiters.