Research Assistant

at  Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Company
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Working at the Federal Reserve Bank positions you at the center of the financial world with a unique perspective on national and international markets and economies. You will work in an environment with a diverse group of experienced professionals to foster and support the safety, soundness, and vitality of our economic and financial systems. It is a challenge that demands the skills of a financial service professional and the intelligence of an academic—all combined with a passion for public service.
This job is eligible for a hybrid schedule with some on-site work expected. The individual is expected to reside in the 1st District unless you were given an exception.
The Supervisory Research and Analysis Unit (SRA) is an interdisciplinary group of professionals (economists, financial market analysts and specialists, accountants, and research assistants) that conduct research and analysis aimed at supporting the Bank’s supervision and regulation efforts. SRA staff produce research on the banking industry and broader credit markets, the impact of micro- and macroprudential policy on financial markets, and developments that could raise financial stability issues. SRA also contributes to the Federal Reserve System’s efforts to identify and monitor potential financial stability risks, and routinely advises senior Bank leadership on related matters. Finally, SRA supports the Bank’s participation in several System initiatives, including the Quantitative Surveillance Group, the Dodd-Frank Act Stress Tests, and the Large Institution Supervision Coordinating Committee.
SRA has an opening for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Research Assistant. This position is responsible for providing high quality technical and analytical support in the form of data acquisition and analysis to one or more research economists.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Search for and summarize literature. Keep track of sources and their reliability.
• Obtain data from internal and external sources.
• Determine and ensure the data’s reliability.
• Set up pipelines for regular updating.
• Manipulate data and perform statistical tests, statistical estimates, and other machine learning techniques.
• Ensure reproducibility of analyses and results.
• Prepare charts and tables for publications, presentations, and briefings to the President and Board of Directors of the Bank.
• Present results in a form that can be easily interpreted by economists.
• Learn to use tools such as spreadsheets, statistical analysis packages, graphics libraries, and remote computing environments as needed to perform duties. Proofread, edit, fact-check, and comment on work products.
• Liaise with data providers, department and Bank staff, and the public as needed.

Knowledge and Experience:

Knowledge and experience normally acquired through, or equivalent to, the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science, physics, or related field.

• Strong understanding of statistics, econometrics, causal inference, and ML techniques.
• Demonstrable experience in coding for data analysis/management. One language among Stata, R, or Python required plus willingness to learn the other two on the job.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Familiarity with Linux or high-performance computing clusters preferred.
• Prior work with databases (SQL) preferred.
• Familiarity with source control systems (such as Git) preferred.

In order to be considered for a role, a candidate must submit their resume, a copy of their transcript and a writing sample.
The Federal Reserve Bank is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace and to provide equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, or military service.
This position requires access to confidential supervisory information and/or FOMC information, which is limited to “Protected Individuals” as defined in the U.S. federal immigration law. Protected Individuals include, but are not limited to, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents who either are not yet eligible to apply for naturalization or who have applied for naturalization within the requisite timeframe. Candidates who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents may be eligible for the information access required for this position and sponsorship for a work visa, and subsequently for permanent residence, if they sign a declaration of intent to become a U.S. citizen and meet other eligibility requirements.
All employees assigned to this position will be subject to FBI fingerprint/ criminal background and Patriot Act/ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) watch list checks at least once every five years. All candidates must undergo an enhanced background check and comply with all applicable information handling rules.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work required of this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or skills associated with this position or the personnel so classified. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of this position, management reserves the right to revise this or any job description at its discretion at any time.
Full Time / Part Time
Full time
Regular / Temporary
Regular
Job Exempt (Yes / No)
Yes
Job Category
Work Shift
First (United States of America)
The Federal Reserve Banks believe that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Federal Reserve Banks are committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and job applicants in compliance with applicable law and to an environment where employees are valued for their differences.
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• Search for and summarize literature. Keep track of sources and their reliability.
• Obtain data from internal and external sources.
• Determine and ensure the data’s reliability.
• Set up pipelines for regular updating.
• Manipulate data and perform statistical tests, statistical estimates, and other machine learning techniques.
• Ensure reproducibility of analyses and results.
• Prepare charts and tables for publications, presentations, and briefings to the President and Board of Directors of the Bank.
• Present results in a form that can be easily interpreted by economists.
• Learn to use tools such as spreadsheets, statistical analysis packages, graphics libraries, and remote computing environments as needed to perform duties. Proofread, edit, fact-check, and comment on work products.
• Liaise with data providers, department and Bank staff, and the public as needed