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?

In recent years, half of RAs have gone on to PhD programs in economics or finance while about a quarter have pursued other graduate degrees such as law school or master's programs. Remaining RAs have found career opportunities within the Federal Reserve System or entered the private sector.

Recent graduate school placements:

  • Ph.D. programs in economics or finance: Stanford University, Princeton University, Columbia University, UCLA, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Duke University, University of Minnesota, University of Texas-Austin, Boston College, University of Rochester
  • Law school: Harvard University, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania
  • Master’s programs: University of Chicago, MIT, Columbia University, University of Michigan

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.