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 developing presentations on economic and financial conditions.
  • Participating in econometric and theoretical research, writing for Bank publications, and delivering 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, finance, 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 highly desirable.

What opportunities are there for career development and continued learning?

  • Training in software, such as Stata, R, Matlab, Python, and SQL.
  • Attending weekly seminars by Kansas City Fed economists and top visiting scholars in the field.
  • Working closely with Ph.D. economists to co-author publications for Bank publications and external research journals.
  • Field-specific writing and communications training from dedicated research editors.
  • Tuition reimbursement for related coursework.

How long do RAs usually stay at the Kansas City Fed?

Most RAs stay for two years, applying for PhD or other graduate programs at the beginning of their second year. Some RAs stay for a third year to support important policy and research work in the Department or gain additional experience through research projects.

What are typical career paths pursued by RAs?

In recent years, more than half of RAs have gone on to PhD programs in economics or finance. Other RAs have found career opportunities within the Federal Reserve System; entered the private sector; or pursued graduate degrees in law, business, mathematics, or other fields.

Recent graduate school placements

  • PhD programs in economics or finance: University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, Columbia University, UCLA, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Duke University, University of Southern California, University of Texas-Austin, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Rochester, Cornell University
  • Law schools: Harvard University, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania
  • Masters programs: University of Chicago, MIT, Columbia University, University of Michigan

Are there opportunities for undergraduates?

Interested undergraduates can apply for summer internships to gain valuable research experience and develop analytical and technical skills. A successful summer intern may be considered for a research associate position after graduation.

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.

Who can I contact for more information?

For any additional questions about the RA position, please contact rarecruiter@kc.frb.org.

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City or the Federal Reserve System.