Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Research Assistant (Domestic)

at Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

🏢 About Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

CEPR is a progressive think tank that combines rigorous economic research with a commitment to social justice and public education. Working here means contributing to influential policy debates on inequality, labor markets, and economic fairness, often in collaboration with advocacy groups and policymakers.

About This Role

This role supports CEPR's domestic team in analyzing economic and labor market trends using large datasets like the Current Population Survey. You'll produce data-driven reports and visualizations that inform public discourse and challenge policies perpetuating inequality, making your work directly impactful on pressing social issues.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start the day by checking email and Slack for updates from the domestic team. Spend the morning cleaning and analyzing a CPS dataset in Stata to estimate wage trends by demographic group, then draft a memo summarizing key findings. In the afternoon, collaborate with a colleague on a literature review for an upcoming report on paid leave, and end the day by creating a chart for a blog post.

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🎯 Who Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) Is Looking For

  • Holds a bachelor's or master's in economics, sociology, or statistics with strong econometric skills, particularly in handling large survey datasets like CPS or ACS.
  • Proficient in Stata or R for data cleaning, analysis, and reproducible research; experience with data visualization (e.g., ggplot2, matplotlib) is a plus.
  • Passionate about economic justice and familiar with CEPR's work on inequality, labor markets, or social policy; able to communicate complex findings to non-expert audiences.
  • Detail-oriented and self-motivated for remote work, with experience drafting research memos, literature reviews, and technical appendices.

📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific statistical software (Stata/R) and datasets (CPS, SIPP, ACS) you've used; include a link to a GitHub or portfolio of reproducible analysis.

2

In your cover letter, mention a CEPR report or blog post you've read and explain how your skills could contribute to similar work.

3

Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to translate data into clear, policy-relevant prose—preferably a memo or research brief.

4

If you have experience with labor market analysis (e.g., wage trends, unemployment, inequality), feature it prominently; CEPR values domain expertise.

5

Proofread carefully for technical accuracy (e.g., correct use of statistical terms) and alignment with CEPR's mission; avoid generic language.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your technical skills in Stata or R and your experience with large individual-level datasets relevant to economic analysis.', "Express genuine interest in CEPR's mission to challenge inequality and provide evidence for progressive policies; reference specific CEPR projects.", 'Highlight your ability to communicate complex data to diverse audiences, including policymakers and the public, through charts, summaries, and reports.', 'Mention your comfort with remote collaboration and self-directed work, as the role is fully remote.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read CEPR's latest reports on labor market trends, such as 'The State of Working America' or their blog posts on unemployment insurance.
  • → Review the domestic team's recent publications to understand the types of data and methods they use (e.g., wage inequality, racial disparities).
  • → Familiarize yourself with CEPR's stance on policy issues like the Federal Reserve's dual mandate or trade policy to align your answers.
  • → Check out CEPR's co-directors and senior staff on Twitter or LinkedIn to see their current research interests and public engagements.
Visit Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a research project where you used Stata or R to analyze a large dataset; what challenges did you face and how did you ensure accuracy?
2 How do you stay current with economic data sources and labor market trends? Can you discuss a recent trend you find important?
3 Walk us through how you would design a study to examine the impact of minimum wage increases on employment using CPS data.
4 Given CEPR's focus on inequality, how would you present findings on wage stagnation to a non-technical audience?
5 How do you manage multiple research tasks and deadlines in a remote environment? Give an example of prioritization.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference CEPR's specific work or mission; this shows lack of genuine interest.
  • Overstating technical skills without concrete examples; be ready to discuss your Stata/R code and how you handle data cleaning.
  • Focusing only on academic research without showing how you can communicate findings for public education and policy impact.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)!

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