I am looking to hire 1-2 pre-doctoral fellows at the University of Toronto in applied microeconomics. The deadline is March 31, 2025, but early application is requested and there will be rolling interviews.
Here are descriptions of the different types of work available:
1. Work on the Social Science Prediction Platform
Prof. Stefano DellaVigna (UC Berkeley) and I are seeking a pre-doctoral research fellow to assist with the Social Science Prediction Platform (SSPP) and be an integral part of the team. The Social Science Prediction Platform is an online platform that enables researchers to collect ex ante forecasts of what their studies will find. These forecasts can be useful in a number of applications, some of which are summarized in this Science Policy Forum piece.
Since the SSPP started, we have seen an enormous growth of projects posted on the platform, and we are beginning to analyze data from the first 100 projects.
2. Work on guaranteed income experiments
I have been evaluating several different guaranteed income experiments with Alex Bartik (UIUC), David Broockman (UC Berkeley), Patrick Krause (OpenResearch), Sarah Miller (Michigan), and Elizabeth Rhodes (OpenResearch). Some results have been written up, but there is still more to do, including analysis of children’s outcomes, crime, intrahousehold outcomes, and potential analysis of heterogeneity across sites. Some of this work may include building and estimating models.
This role would also include the chance to work closely with OpenResearch, a nonprofit research organization with a startup mentality, and would provide the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge best practices in research.
3. More open-ended work
There is the opportunity for more open-ended work in evidence-based decision-making and topics in AI. Past pre-docs have worked on existing projects while developing their own projects through active discussion and mentorship.
Pre-docs may work on one or more of the three topics above, depending on fit, availability, and interests.
Eligibility
Applicants must, at minimum, have:
- A bachelor’s degree (or be graduating this year);
- Experience in R or Stata;
- Work authorization in Canada, whether by citizenship or an open work permit. This is strictly required. In practice, citizens of several countries can often obtain an open work permit. In the pre-interview application screener, you will see some questions designed to help you figure out if you might be eligible (though you may need to do further investigation on your own).
The ideal candidate would have:
- A strong quantitative background and potentially a master’s degree;
- Proficiency with more than one programming language;
- Familiarity with ML;
- Previous research experience, such as through past research assistantships or an independent research project;
- An interest in pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field.
To apply:
To apply, please fill out a pre-interview screener here, including uploading a transcript and CV. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
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