Job Details

Research Associate, Rodney White Center for Financial Research, Wharton School
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Position Number: 5804730
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Science - Statistics

Research Associate, Rodney White Center for Financial Research, Wharton School

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
Research Associate, Rodney White Center for Financial Research, Wharton School

Job Profile Title
Database Administrator

Job Description Summary
Founded in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year, 13,000 professionals worldwide advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education's individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a diverse staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research is seeking a Research Associate to support research in macroeconomics, household finance, and inequality. The Research Associate will work closely with Finance Professors Gideon Bornstein, Sasha Indarte, and Sergio Salgado.

A successful pre-doctoral research associate will work in this challenging position for 1-2 years, be passionate about social science research, possess a strong desire to expand and deepen skills in economic research and quantitative data analysis and emerge prepared to apply for PhD programs in Economics or Finance. Research Associates 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. Professors Bornstein, Indarte, and Salgado will provide supervision and mentorship on academic development. The Research Associate will join a cohort of pre-doctoral Research Associates within and across other departments at the Wharton School.

"This is a predoctoral position with a limited term of 1-2 years, specifically tied to designated projects and funding. The role is designed to provide targeted, time-bound experience for individuals planning to pursue a Ph.D. or other advanced studies. Extensions beyond the two-year maximum are not available, as this role aligns with project-based timelines and resources.

Job responsibilities include:

Perform a variety of statistical and econometric analyses

Write reports and provide research-related programming support

The start date for this position is July 1, 2025. Annual salary is in the range of $56,000-58,000 plus benefits.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Collecting, designing, implementing and maintaining moderately complex databases
Using access methods, access time device allocation validation checks, reorganization and statistical methods
Perform a variety of statistical and econometric analyses
Write reports and provide research-related programming support

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Proficiency in at least one major statistical software such as R, Python (with Pandas), and Stata

Coursework in either statistics, data analysis, or econometrics

Eager to develop skills related to data, statistics, programming, and thinking like an economist

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS in Economics, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related discipline with 1-2 years of experience.

Previous experience as a research assistant or conducting independent research using statistical software such as R or Stata

Ability to analyze data

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Self-directed, intrinsically motivated, and able to work independently to solve problems

To submit a complete application, please prepare a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, a resume, and an academic transcript, and submit these online on this website.

Applications received by November 26, 2024 will be given priority.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Wharton School

Pay Range
$43,919.00 - $58,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/SteinbergDietrich-Hall---3rd-Floor/Research-Associate--Rodney-White-Center-for-Financial-Research--Wharton-School_JR00099685-1