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The Tobin Center / Economics Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program at Yale University supports policy-relevant economics research by providing a high-quality education and training experience for individuals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees who are considering pursuing a Ph.D. in economics or a closely related discipline. The Program works alongside other centers at Yale that support a broad range of data-intensive social science research. 

Pre-doctoral fellows work for one to two years as full-time research assistants for one or more faculty mentors and engage in additional education and training activities, including taking for credit or auditing one course per semester, participating in a weekly professional development seminar, and attending department research seminars. All positions are based on-campus, and most fellows work in common workspaces to foster camaraderie and peer learning.

Our program is strengthened when a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints are represented. We encourage members of historically underrepresented groups in economics to apply, including women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and first-generation low-income (FGLI) college students, among others. We also encourage applications from individuals with past experience and future aspirations to study issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and identity.

To apply, please review available positions listed below and complete our common application, which requests personal and educational background information, a ranking of prospective faculty supervisors, and a single PDF called "LastName_FirstName_Tobin_Predoc_Application" containing the following material in the order listed:

1. Cover letter describing your interest in the program and specific faculty projects, dates available, relevant experience (including your familiarity with programming languages and prior research experience), and the names, email addresses, and phone numbers for 2-3 references;
2. Resume/CV;
3. (Optional) Diversity, equity, inclusion, and identity statement describing how your personal background and prior academic, professional, or research experience could contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our program and to the field of economics (up to 250 words);
4. Undergraduate transcript (unofficial is fine);
5. Graduate transcript (if applicable; unofficial is fine);
6. Writing sample (any length is fine);
7. Coding sample(s). One sample is sufficient. You may submit more than one sample, especially if applying to multiple positions with different programming language preferences. A link to your GitHub repository (or equivalent) is also acceptable.

Some faculty supervisors also request application materials directly (see Project Descriptions). In this case, please follow their instructions and also submit the common application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions have been filled.  New positions may continue to be posted, and filled positions will be indicated. Short-listed applicants may be asked to complete a data or technical exercise and may be invited to interview. 

Most positions will begin in July to coincide with a multi-day orientation and training, although other start dates may be negotiable. Positions last for one year with an option to renew for a second and final year by mutual agreement by the faculty supervisor(s) and the fellow. Salary will be competitive with similar programs at other institutions, and the position includes standard benefits such as health insurance. The University will sponsor visas for accepted international candidates (unless otherwise indicated in an individual project description).

For more information about the program and our application requirements, please read our Frequently Asked Questions or contact Olivia Micca at olivia.micca@yale.edu

The Tobin Center for Economic Policy and the Yale Department of Economics are member institutions of Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers (PREDOC), a consortium of universities and research institutions that aims to foster a talented, diverse, and inclusive population in the quantitative social sciences. To learn more about pre-doctoral positions and find additional opportunities, please visit predoc.org.

Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Yale values diversity among its students, staff, and faculty and strongly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities.