The Center for the Economics of Human Development is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on the CEHD’s Family, Fertility and Human Development Initiative, which is spearheaded by Dr. James Heckman. The Postdoctoral Fellow will work closely with our University of Chicago and Corvinus University of Budapest networks, as well as our global community of academic collaborators.

This project investigates the multifaceted causes and consequences of global fertility decline. Through interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in economics, sociology, and demography we will decompose the trend by its components. On the onset of the project, our major goal is to update legacy fertility models with modern insights to create a descriptively consistent environment. By examining demographics alongside cultural and social data, we consider the magnitude of causal determinants and resulting consequences influencing fertility rates.

This is an exciting authorship and co-authorship opportunity for a post-doctoral candidate prioritizing research leadership and ownership with support from experts in the field and support from UChicago’s CEHD. The initiative will publish special issues and disseminate findings through regular webinars, workshops, and larger scale conferences.

The position requires demonstrated expertise in econometric models of human development, policy formation, and applied microeconomics. Responsibilities range across the research cycle and will include instantiating, cleaning, parallelizing, and normalizing large datasets, performing statistical analyses, writing reports or papers, and presenting research. CEHD researchers are uniquely empowered to make vital contributions to the Center’s work.

Candidates should have completed (or be near completing) a PhD in economics, statistics, data science, or related fields and will have: (i) a strong quantitative background; (ii) excellent programming skills; (iii) past experience with research, including independent work (such as an undergrad thesis) or work as a research assistant.

Position Requirements

• PhD in Economics
• Background: applied econometrics + quantitative labor economics, etc.
• Required: grant or technical writing experience in CEHD focus areas
• Preferred: grant writing experience in CEHD focus areas

Application Requirements

• CV
• Research Statement
• Job Market Paper
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Code Sample
• Letters of Reference (3)
• Application deadline: 01/31/2025

Only applications submitted through the web form below will be considered. For questions or additional employment information, please email jjh.info@uchicago.edu.