Childcare Access and Program Design
Faculty Supervisor(s):
John Eric Humphries, Christopher Neilson, and Seth Zimmerman
Project and Position Description:
This is a full-time pre-doctoral fellow position under the supervision of Professors John Eric Humphries, Christopher Neilson, and Seth Zimmerman.
This project explores the economics of childcare access and childcare program design. We will focus on two questions: (1) How can policymakers help families understand and access subsidized childcare options? (2) How do different features of childcare programs, such as length of the academic day or the availability of before- and after-care affect outcomes for children and families?
Pre-doctoral fellows will work closely with faculty and will be involved in all stages of the research process. The work will include analyzing administrative datasets, assisting in the design and deployment of randomized interventions, and writing up results. We anticipate extensive use of AI tools.
Requisite Skills and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a strong quantitative background, programming skills, experience working with data, the ability to work independently and solve problems, and a long-term interest in pursuing research in economics. Candidates should also have strong communication skills and the ability to write clearly.
Background in economics is a plus but not required; candidates with strong technical skills who are interested in learning more about economics are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants typically have Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees with substantial coursework in economics, math, and/or computer science. Prior research experience is a plus.