Research Associates

The Economic Research Department seeks talented individuals with strong backgrounds in economics, statistics, and mathematics for Research Associate (RA) positions. These are excellent positions for someone who is passionate about research and considering a Ph.D. in economics. As an RA, you can develop technical skills, such as programming and working in a High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment. In addition, you are exposed to a broad range of topics, such as monetary policy, labor economics, and international trade. At the Kansas City Fed, RAs are matched to economists based on interest and skill sets, which provides opportunities for RAs to work closely with Ph.D. economists and get invaluable research experience. Most RAs stay with the department for two to three years, at which point many return to graduate school or pursue other opportunities.

Interested in joining the Kansas City Fed as an RA?

Current Openings

• There are no research associate or research intern openings at this time.

Meet Our Current Research Associates

Chris Acker

I joined the KC Fed after graduating from the University of Kansas with a BS in Economics and minors in Math and Philosophy. Here I support Stefan Jacewitz and Rajdeep Sengupta with their work in the banking and financial markets division. Working at the Bank has familiarized me with the process of conducting research in a way that no other opportunity could, from the down-and-dirty data scrubbing to the glamorous and intricate theoretical modelling. The Bank’s resident experts and frequent guest speakers offer a wealth of expertise and wisdom that create a formative environment for aspiring professionals in the field of economics.

Brendan Laliberte

I joined the economic research group at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in 2022 after studying economics at Carleton College and finance at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School. I currently assist Padma Sharma and Blake Marsh as they research the macroeconomic implications of developments in financial markets. To better scrutinize future financial stability, I am interested in how and why financial intermediaries and their ancillary markets have made decisions under different circumstances. This wonderful opportunity has improved the breadth and depth of my programming and econometric knowledge through frequent interaction with field experts. Most notably, I have been empowered by the genuine consideration and care that Blake and Padma have devoted towards my graduate school preparation.

Jalen Nichols

I joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in 2022 after graduating from the University of Chicago with BA degrees in economics and sociology. Here, I assist Andrew Glover and José Mustre-del-Río with their research and policy work in labor economics. This role has provided me opportunities to engage with exciting and meaningful research questions alongside the Bank’s talented team of economists and researchers. The vast exposure to economics I’ve received from the Bank’s visiting scholars and resident economists has fueled my interest in pursuing a higher degree in the field, and I feel grateful to experience this at an institution devoted to public service.

Emily Pollard

After I graduated from Carleton College with a BA in mathematics and economics, I was excited to join the research team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. I am currently working with José Mustre-del-Río and Andy Glover on various research projects. In addition to helping these economists with their research, I prepare policy materials, draft press releases for the Kansas City Fed’s LMCI, and give presentations on the economy and the Federal Reserve System to school and community groups. I really appreciate the variety of work in this job and the flexibility given to RAs to explore our interests.

Sai A. Sattiraju

I started working as a research associate at the Kansas City Fed after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with an MA in economics. Here I support Johannes Matschke and Amaze Lusompa in their research in financial regulatory policy and time series econometrics, respectively. I enjoy being able to apply programming skills to work on exciting and important economic research projects. This role gives you the ability to better understand and develop your interests.

Colton Tousey

I joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City after receiving my BS degree in mathematics from the University of Kansas. Since joining the Kansas City Fed, I have had the honor to work with Jason Brown and Francisco Scott in their research. Currently, I am working on projects looking at the changes in trends in migration among urban areas in the United States as well as projects on transitions occurring in the energy sector. Being an RA provides a great opportunity to develop research skills and interests both on the job and through the benefit of tuition reimbursement. The position is great for those who want to explore their research interests as there are opportunities to be involved in a variety of projects.

Luca Van der Meer

I joined the Kansas City Fed’s research team in July of 2022 after completing a BA in Economics and a minor in Mathematics at Occidental College in Los Angeles. At the Fed I have the pleasure of working with Brent Bundick, Lee Smith and Taeyoung Doh on both research and policy work regarding Macroeconomics. Working for the bank I’ve had the opportunity to continue to tune the research skills that I began to develop as an undergraduate and develop technical skills in a host of coding languages and with an array of data repositories. Further the economists here place an emphasis on my education and do all they can to incorporate me as an asset and partner in their widely varied research projects. This job has bolstered my interest in graduate study with a cohort of likeminded individuals and dedicated mentors, allowing me to feel well positioned on the pathway towards a Phd.

Deepak Venkatasubramanian

I joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in July 2022 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I completed a B.S. in Economics and Statistics in May 2021. Additionally, I worked as a Risk Analyst in the Independent Testing and Validation department at Wells Fargo in Charlotte from June 2021- June 2022. Currently, I am working with Didem Tuzemen, Jose Mustre-del-Rio and Andrew Glover with their research and policy work in labor economics. Being a research associate at the Fed has enabled me to engage with economic research and policy relevant to my interests, collaborate with accomplished economists and develop the essential data analysis skills to conduct cogent research. Moreover, the collaborative relationship I maintain with my economists has only further allowed me to become a better researcher and programmer, while also informing me on how to best pursue graduate studies.

Alice von Ende-Becker

I joined the Kansas City Fed after graduating from Trinity University with BA degrees in economics, mathematics, and art history and a minor in medieval and renaissance studies. At the bank, I support Jun Nie and Cooper Howes with their research and policy work regarding international macroeconomics, differences in consumption patterns, and financial frictions. Working on these projects provides me with the chance to work with important datasets and assist in relevant research. Additionally, through my collaborations with the economists I am able to strengthen my own knowledge and research capabilities, providing me with valuable skills that will prepare me for future plans. Furthermore, even during a remote work environment, the opportunity to attend presentations by the research staff has proven to be a great resource for further learning and exposure to economic ideas that allow me to explore and develop my own interests.

Co-Authored Publications

Research Associates' names are in bold.

Economic Review articles

• Marsh, W. Blake, and Brendan Laliberte. 2023. "The Implications of Unrealized Losses for Banks." Vol. 108, no. 2.
• Doh, Taeyoung and Luca Van der Meer. 2023. "The Employment Effect of an Increase in the National Minimum Wage: Review of International Evidence." Vol. 108, no. 2.
• Brown, Jason, and Colton Tousey. 2023. "The Shifting Expectations for Work from Home." Vol. 108, no. 2.
• Glover, Andrew, José Mustre-del-Río, and Alice von Ende-Becker. 2023. "How Much Have Record Corporate Profits Contributed to Recent Inflation?" Vol. 108, no. 1.
• Glover, Andrew, José Mustre-del-Río, and Emily Pollard. 2022. "Lifetime Earnings Differences across Black and White Individuals: Years Worked Matter." Vol. 108, no. 1.
• Howes, Cooper, Alice von Ende Becker. 2022. "Monetary Policy and Intangible Investment." Vol. 107, no. 2.
• Brown, Jason, Colton Tousey. 2021. "How the Pandemic Influenced Trends in Domestic Migration across U.S. Urban Areas." Fourth Quarter 2021.
• Nie, Jun, Alice von Ende-Becker, and Shu-Kuei X. Yang. 2021. "How Did the 2018–19 U.S. Tariff Hikes Influence Household Spending?" Fourth Quarter 2021.
• Brown, Jason, and Colton Tousey. 2020. “External LinkPopulation Turnover and the Growth of Urban Areas.” First Quarter 2020.
• Mustre-del-Río, José, and Emily Pollard. 2019. “External LinkWhat Explains Lifetime Earnings Differences Across Individuals?” First Quarter 2019.
• Bundick, Brent, and Emily Pollard. 2019. “External LinkThe Rise and Fall of College Tuition Inflation.” First Quarter 2019.

Research Working Papers

• Brown, Jason P., Nida Çakır Melek, Johannes Matschke, and Sai A. Sattiraju. 2023. "The Missing Tail Risk in Option Prices." RWP 23-02
• Brown, Jason, and Colton Tousey. 2020. “External LinkDeath of Coal and Breath of Life: The Effect of Power Plant Closure on Local Air Quality.” RWP 20-15.
• Brown, Jason, and Colton Tousey. 2019. “External LinkRising Market Concentration and the Decline of Food Price Shock Pass-Through to Core Inflation.” RWP 19-02.

Economic Bulletins

• Glover, Andrew, José Mustre-del-Río and Jalen Nichols. 2023. "Corporate Profits Contributed a Lot to Inflation in 2021 but Little in 2022—A Pattern Seen in Past Economic Recoveries"
• Lusompa, Amaze and Sai A. Sattiraju. 2023. "Will High Underlying Inflation Persist?"
• Dilts Stedman, Karlye, and Emily Pollard. 2023. "Why Has Monetary Policy Tightening Not Cooled the Labor Market Enough to Quell Inflation?"
• Brown, Jason, and Colton Tousey. 2023. "When the Music Stops: Slowing Wage Growth May Lead to More Delinquent Debt."
• Bundick, Brent, A. Lee Smith, and Luca Van der Meer. 2023. "A Tight Labor Market Could Keep Rent Inflation Elevated."
• Mustre-del-Río, José, and Emily Pollard. 2023. "The KC Fed LMCI Momentum Indicator Suggests Monetary Policy Is Beginning to Weigh on Labor Markets."
• Çakır Melek, Nida, and Emily Pollard. 2022. "Negative Sentiment toward Spending and Declining Real Incomes May Meaningfully Lower Consumption."
• Matschke, Johannes, and Sai A. Sattiraju. 2022. "Price Pressures for U.S. Exporters and a Strong Dollar Have Increased Inflation in Foreign Countries."
• Matschke, Johannes, and Sai A. Sattiraju. 2022. "Recent Appreciation in the U.S. Dollar Unlikely to Have Large Effect on Domestic Inflation."
• Matschke, Johannes, and Sai A. Sattiraju. 2021. "Labor Markets Are Tight, but Conditions Vary across States."
• Glover, Andrew, José Mustre-del-Río, and Emily Pollard. 2021. " KC Fed LMCI Suggests that Recent Inflation Is Not Due to the Tight Labor Market."
• Glover, Andrew, José Mustre-del-Río, and Emily Pollard. 2021. "KC Fed LMCI Implies the Labor Market Is Closer to a Full Recovery than the Unemployment Rate Alone Suggests."
• Glover, Andrew, and Emily Pollard. 2020. “External LinkInflation Expectations Limit the Power of Negative Interest Rates.”
• Mustre-del-Río, José, and Emily Pollard. 2019. “External LinkAs Manufacturing Weakens, Consumers Pull Back.”
• Brown, Jason, David Rodziewicz, and Colton Tousey. 2019. “External LinkDrilling Productivity in the United States: What Lies Beneath.”
• Brown, Jason, and Colton Tousey. 2018. “External LinkAuto Loan Delinquency Rates Are Rising, but Mostly among Subprime Borrowers.”
• Mustre-del-Río, José, and Emily Pollard. 2018. “External LinkNominal Wage Rigidities and the Future Path of Wage Growth.”
• Bundick, Brent, Trenton Herriford, Emily Pollard, and Andrew Lee Smith. 2017. “External LinkDoes the Recent Decline in Household Longer-Term Inflation Expectations Signal a Loss of Confidence in the FOMC?”

Technical Briefings

• Pollard, Emily. 2019. “External LinkA New Approach to Industry and Occupation Recoding in the CPS.” TB 19-02.
• Tousey, Colton. 2019. “External LinkFederal Reserve District County Shapefiles.” TB 19-01.
  
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key responsibilities for an RA?

• Assisting Ph.D. economists on academic research projects and monetary policy briefings.
• Gathering and analyzing data, programming economic models, and preparing charts for presentations on economic and financial conditions.
• More experienced RAs participate in econometric and theoretical research, write for Bank publications and deliver speeches to civic and educational groups.

What qualifications are you looking for in an RA?

• Bachelor's or master's degree in economics or a closely related field, such as statistics, computer science, or mathematics.
• Coursework or experience in economics required.
• Coursework or experience in econometrics, mathematics and statistics highly desirable.
• Proficiency in programming languages and statistical software packages, such as Stata, Matlab, R or Python highly desirable.
• Strong academic record.
• Experience with research and data analysis is highly desirable.

What opportunities are there for career development and continued learning?

• Training in software, such as Stata, R, Matlab, Python and SQL
• Seminars by Kansas City Fed and visiting economists
• Working closely with Ph.D. economists
• Tuition reimbursement

How long do RAs usually stay at the Kansas City Fed?
The majority of RAs stay for two to three years as they find that amount of time sufficient to acquire the skills and knowledge to move on to Ph.D. programs or other opportunities. There are some opportunities for RAs to stay longer and continue to support important policy and research work in the Department or move on to other areas of the Kansas City Fed.

What are typical career paths pursued by RAs?

Recent graduate school placements:

Ph.D. programs in economics: Boston College, New York University, Stanford University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, Columbia University

Law school: Harvard University, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania

Master’s in business administration: Columbia University, University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University

Do I need to send an official transcript?
Unofficial transcripts are fine for the initial application but we may ask for an official transcript at some point in the process.

Are there opportunities for undergraduates?
Interested undergraduates can apply for summer internships to gain valuable research experience, and develop analytical and technical skills.

Are non-U.S. citizens eligible to apply?
Generally, non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply if they are able to obtain the legal status to work in the U.S. for at least two years without sponsorship from the Bank. F-1 visa holders with STEM OPT extension are eligible to apply. Some RA positions may require U.S. citizenship, which will be clearly indicated on the job notice.

Whom can I contact for more information?
If there are additional questions about the RA position, please contact rarecruiter@kc.frb.org.