Predoctoral Research Specialist
Full Job Description
Role Overview
The Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research at the Wharton School seeks a predoctoral Research Associate to support quantitative research in financial economics through large-scale data analysis, statistical programming, computational work, literature review, presentation development, and preparation of research papers.
Responsibilities & Key Projects
- Collaborate closely with Finance Professors Patrick Adams, Lu Liu, and Huan Tang on projects in monetary policy, FinTech, data economy, and wealth inequality.
- Analyze large, complex datasets using statistical software such as Stata, R, and Python.
- Integrate intelligent use of AI and agentic coding tools while maintaining strong foundational programming knowledge.
- Conduct literature reviews on policy developments in economics and finance.
- Create presentation materials and prepare research papers for submission to top academic journals.
Career Pathway
This is a 2-year position designed for candidates with a strong desire to expand skills in quantitative data analysis. The goal is to emerge prepared to apply for PhD programs in Economics or Finance. Associates are encouraged to join the active Wharton research community, attend seminars, and take graduate-level classes.
Company
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a prestigious American private Ivy League Research University located in Philadelphia, excelling in producing future leaders across diverse fields.