Poverty Research Technical Fellow

Within NYC Opportunity the Poverty Research Unit (PRU) publishes the NYCgov poverty measure for New York City that is a nationally recognized metric for evaluating and targeting policies intended to reduce poverty. The NYCgov poverty measure has become an important tool for evaluating policies, assessing the progress the city has made over time in reducing poverty, and designing new policies to reduce current levels of economic deprivation. NYC Opportunity also releases an annual brief on the economic condition of immigrants in New York City, connecting economic outcomes to legal status.

We are seeking an interested candidate for a technical fellow position specializing in developing and implementing measures of poverty and economic mobility. This paid fellowship offers flexible hours, from 20-40 hours per week, with a minimum one-year commitment desired. The first three months of the fellowship will require in-person work from our Downtown Brooklyn office. After this period, there is the possibility to telework at least some hours remotely, depending on committed hours and scheduling.

The anticipated start date is September/October 2025.

  Responsibilities

Technical fellows will collaborate closely with PRU staff on multiple research projects that involve data processing, statistical analysis, and report writing.

Examples of specific responsibilities could include:

  • Supporting the modeling of policy alternatives and their comparative outcomes (e.g., anti-poverty impacts, distributional consequences, and fiscal efficiency).
  • Assisting in assessing the statistical soundness of models, reviewing model performance, and recommending action plans to address deficiencies.
  • Contributing to report writing and blog posts.

Fellows will primarily work under a supervisor who will assist with prioritization and workflow, but assignments will come from various sources within the office. Fellows will work on several specific projects and/or develop an area of specialization, have opportunities to work independently and as part of a team, and fully participate in the activities of a fast-paced mayoral office.

  Qualifications and Skills

Qualifications include but are not limited to:

  • Completed or nearly completed MA/MS in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Data Science, or other relevant fields; Ph.D. students are preferred
  • Basic econometric training and experience, including familiarity with the linear regression model and maximum-likelihood estimator
  • High proficiency in statistical programming languages (e.g., R, Python, or Stata) as well as Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Experience working with large public survey data is a plus

Applicants must possess strong quantitative and programming skills, well-developed interpersonal skills, and strong English writing abilities. An interest in poverty, income distribution, economic mobility, and immigrant-related research is preferred. We strongly encourage applications from candidates with a background in:

  • Labor economics
  • Health economics
  • Welfare economics
  • Applied econometrics

  Benefits and Compensation

The hourly rate for the fellowship is $27.50/hr and does not offer health benefits.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to provide sponsorship to prospective employees.

This position will require work from our office in Downtown Brooklyn.

  How to Apply

The application window for this fellowship is now open.

To apply for this fellowship, please fill out this application form and select the fellowship option under positions. The form will prompt you to upload a resume, cover letter, and research portfolio. Your research portfolio should include:

  • a writing sample
  • a code sample related to a relevant research project
  • If the project was a team effort, please also include a brief summary specifying the nature of your contribution and the percentage you contributed to the total project.

Due to the volume of applications received we may not be able to respond to every application.

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