Job Opportunities

If you encounter any issues submitting your application or need to submit additional documents, please contact hiring-pwbm@wharton.upenn.edu . For a full list of open positions, please filter for "WH - Penn Wharton Budget Model" in Organization on the University of Pennsylvania job portal .

Economists

PWBM has a staff opening for a new or experienced economist with a strong interest in conducting applied research, modeling, and analysis. We seek candidates with a strong interest in public policy and backgrounds in a range of areas including applied microeconomics (such as public and labor economics) and macroeconomics (such as OLG modeling and international macroeconomics). PWBM economists apply their training and skills to assess the effects of policy on household and business, budgetary outcomes (government revenues and costs) and various economic variables. Staff economists are encouraged to publish their research findings in professional journals. A PhD in economics or statistics is required.

Qualifications:

• A PhD in economics and 2-3 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, is required but ABD candidates expecting a doctorate in 2025 are encouraged to apply. We will also consider candidates with PhDs in statistics with an interest in public policy.
• Concentrations in macroeconomics, international macroeconomics, applied microeconomics (i.e., labor and public economics), and applied econometrics/quantitative methods preferred.
• Passion for using data, analytical methods -- such as econometrics and machine learning – and economic models to study policy issues.
• Experience performing econometric research using large and complex dataset or experience using economic models (including OLG models) to study how households and businesses change their decisions under a new policy.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

JEL Classifications:

• C – Mathematical and Quantitative Methods
• D – Microeconomics
• E – Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
• F4 – Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance
• H – Public Economics
• J – Labor and Demographic Economics

Keywords: Labor economist; Public Policy; Economic Modeling and Policy Analysis; Immigration; International macroeconomist; Macroeconomics; Tax economist

Required Documents: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, job market/research paper, and three letters of recommendation. Have letters sent directly to hiring-pwbm@wharton.upenn.edu.

Senior Policy Analysts

The Senior Policy Analyst is a public policy expert specializing in one or more of the following areas: health policy, retirement policy, income security programs, discretionary spending, or tax policy. The Analyst offers research support, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in support of policymaker requests and flagship analyses. The Analyst is an expert communicator who interprets model output and summarizes results in written and oral formats. The position involves developing and maintaining PWBM’s models for household taxes, government transfers, and other policy areas. Advanced statistical programming skills (for example in Python or R) are required for many of the Analyst’s tasks.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree is required (preferably in Economics or a related discipline). A master’s degree, for example in Public Policy or Applied Economics, is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience conducting policy analysis and/or economic research at a think tank, government agency, financial institution, or similar is required.
• Demonstrated professional and personal interest in public policy and economics is required.
• Advanced statistical programming skills (for example in Python or R, etc) and proficiency with data analysis tools, including Microsoft Excel, is required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills is required.
• Excellent organizational skills, including a keen orientation to detail and deadlines, as well as the ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously is required.
• Subject matter expertise in one or more of the following subject areas is preferred: health policy, retirement policy, income security programs, discretionary spending, or tax policy.
• Ability to effectively work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Required documents: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and transcript.

Data Analysts

PWBM is seeking a Data Analyst to assist with research on a variety of public policy topics, including tax reform, health care and entitlements reform, immigration, education, and the federal budget. Job responsibilities include assisting with research and model development, compiling and maintaining databases, performing statistical analyses, writing research reports, and providing research-related technical programming support. A knowledge of or desire to learn and use cutting-edge technologies and programming methods is required. A thorough understanding of economics and public policy, ability to use statistical and programming tools, and self-motivation are highly valued in performing these functions.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree, preferably in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline; and a minimum of 2 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. In addition, the following credentials, skills, and qualities are important:

• Previous experience serving as a research associate/data analyst or pursuing independent research as an undergraduate.
• Proficiency with programming languages, such as Python and R.
• Experience working with microdata or with data from Federal statistical agencies such as the Census Bureau, BLS, and BEA.
• Strong interest in economics and public policy and aptitude for graduate-level research.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated self-starter.

Required documents: Cover letter and resume are required. If you are graduating this academic year or have recently graduated, your resume should include overall GPA, GPA by field(s), a partial list of advanced courses taken in related disciplines listed above, and any computer skills, including coding languages.

Software Engineers

Software Engineers build the software applications and systems critical to the group's mission of delivering data-driven economic analyses of public policy. Software Engineers work closely with Economists and Research Associates to develop large databases of economic and demographic data, population-scale computational models of economic agents, and data visualization tools that support public policy analysis. Applications developed by Software Engineers enable Economists to advise lawmakers on public policy design and educate the public on the impact of public policy proposals.

The ideal candidate for the Software Engineer position has a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a technical discipline, demonstrates strong software development fundamentals, and is capable of working with a range of technologies. Technical experience relevant to the role includes full stack web development, statistical computing, mathematical optimization, and distributed computing. An interest in economics and public policy is valued.

Required documents include your resume.

Not currently accepting applications.

Student Workers

Student workers help researchers across a variety of areas including data management, coding, communications, writing briefs and blogs, video editing, legislative research. Computer science, economics and mathematics majors are preferred.

Required documents include your resume.

Not currently accepting applications. Please email your resume to hiring-pwbm@wharton.upenn.edu if you would like to be considered for a future period (i.e. next summer or academic year) or would like to inquire about opportunities not listed on the Penn Student Job Board.