Research Economist

Position description

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) seeks PhD Research Economists for the Consumer Research Section in the Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection (DCP). Candidates with a demonstrated interest in consumer and household finance issues are encouraged to apply. Applications are welcome from recent graduates and mid-career professionals.

The Role

The FDIC’s mission is to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system. The Consumer Research Section (https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-research) supports this mission through the creation of new knowledge related to economic inclusion. Our researchers pursue an informed understanding of consumers’ experiences in the banking and financial sector through peer-reviewed academic research and longer-term research initiatives.

To fulfill a statutory mandate, economists participate in the design and analysis of regularly-recurring high-profile household and bank-level national surveys, including the FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households (https://www.fdic.gov/household-survey). Other one-time FDIC-sponsored studies may be conducted on occasion. Economists in Consumer Research are expected to conduct independent self-directed consumer and household finance research to present at professional conferences and publish in peer-reviewed academic journals.

The Section hosts an active Consumer Research Seminar series, where leading experts present their latest work (https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-research/seminars). Consumer Research also organizes the biennial Consumer Research Symposium to facilitate discussion of the newest research in consumer finance among academics, financial regulators, and the private sector (https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-research/consumer-research-symposium).

Resources and Compensation

The Section is supported by both research assistants and data scientists. Economists at the FDIC have access to a large set of proprietary economic and financial datasets, software products, and technologies for processing large amounts of data. A fully staffed onsite library provides access to electronic journals and resources. Travel and conference fees are paid for when economists present at approved conferences. Funding is available for educational materials, professional licenses and memberships, and attendance at conferences when the economist is not a presenter.

The FDIC offers a highly competitive salary, with salary ranges for specific grades above those at most other federal agencies (see the CG-12 to CG-14 bands on https://www.fdic.gov/careers/compensation and apply the Washington DC locality adjustment). Federal health insurance and highly competitive FDIC life, dental, and vision insurance benefits are provided, as well as generous retirement benefits. Both the Federal Employees Retirement System defined benefit plan, and the FDIC 401(k) and Federal Thrift Savings Program are offered, with an employer contribution of up to 10 percent of salary. Alternative work schedule and telework programs are available.

The FDIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

JEL Classifications:
C — Mathematical and Quantitative Methods
C1 — Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General
C5 — Econometric Modeling
D — Microeconomics
G — Financial Economics
G2 — Financial Institutions and Services
H — Public Economics
J — Labor and Demographic Economics
L — Industrial Organization
M2 — Business Economics
N — Economic History
R — Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics

Application instructions

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