"Pre-Doctoral Research Specialist"

Job Description Summary

The Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research at the Wharton School is seeking a Predoctoral Research Specialist to support the research of Professors Sylvain Catherine, Lu Liu, and Huan Tang. Research projects will study topics in household finance, fintech, labor, and public finance, combining large-scale microdata, structural and econometric analysis to inform key debates in macroeconomics and public policy. This position offers hands-on experience with data collection, quantitative analysis, and exposure to a wide range of research topics in finance.

A successful Predoctoral Research Specialist will work in this challenging position for two years, possess a strong desire to expand and deepen skills in research and quantitative data analysis, and emerge prepared to apply for PhD programs in Economics or Finance. Research Specialists will be encouraged to be an active part of the Wharton research community, which can include attending seminars, exploring personal research interests, and taking graduate-level classes at Wharton. This position will join a cohort of Predoctoral Research Specialists, both in the Finance Department and across other departments at the Wharton School. The candidate will also be expected to assist as needed in select Rodney White Center programs and activities.

This is a full-time, limited-term position typically intended for recent graduates who are seeking predoctoral research experience. The position is designed for a duration of 2 years and cannot be extended beyond the initial term. The term for this position is July 1, 2026- June 30, 2028. Annual salary is in the range of $57,000-61,000 plus benefits.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage data for faculty research projects, including collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Develop and maintain moderately complex databases using STATA, Excel, SAS, and other software applications.
• Prepare supporting materials for faculty research papers, such as graphs, tables, data descriptions, and appendices.
• Contribute to other research activities such as writing research reports and literature reviews, conducting background research on recent policy developments, and preparing presentation materials.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a related discipline and 1 to 2 years of research experience (potentially done while completing a bachelor's degree).
• Research experience, including conducting independent research using statistical software such as STATA, Matlab, Python, Mathematica, or R.
• The ability to analyze data, derive proofs, and write reports.
• Self-directed, intrinsically motivated, and have the capacity to manage work independently.

Applicants requiring visa sponsorship WILL NOT be considered for this role.

Job Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$44,500.00 - $58,000.00 Annual Rate

To apply, visit this link