Sharing RA opportunity at MIT

Pre-Doctoral Researcher – Amy Finkelstein

Job Description:
MIT Professor Amy Finkelstein is looking to hire highly skilled and motived full-time pre-doctoral
researchers to begin in the spring or summer of 2026 and to work for two years as part of her research team. The position will entail close collaboration and assistance with all stages of empirical research in health economics.
Examples of the types of projects fellows would work on include analyzing the impact and optimal
design of health care policy (see e.g. these three papers), studying the determinants of population health (such see e.g. this paper or this paper), and investigating the causes and consequences of large-scale geographic variation in healthcare spending and health (see e.g. these three papers).

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

Strong quantitative background
Strong computer skills including programming
Ability to work independently
Excellent communication skills, both in writing and orally
Long-term interest in pursuing a PhD in economics
Background in economics a plus, but not necessary (Professor Finkelstein welcomes candidates
with strong technical backgrounds who are looking for more exposure to economics)
Prior research assistant experience strongly preferred
Excellent grades required

The job is ideal for someone with an enthusiasm for empirical research using a wide range of methods, and the ability and interest to learn new skills and take initiative as a project develops.

Note: Authorization for work in the US is required. This position is not eligible for any type of visa
sponsorship. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check. This
position is based at the MIT office in Cambridge, MA. Professor Finkelstein welcomes applicants from
talented individuals of all backgrounds.

Compensation and Benefits

As an employee of MIT, this position offers competitive compensation and generous benefits, including an annual tuition reimbursement of more than $5,000, discounted commuter benefits, management and technical skills development, and comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance plans. For more information on MIT’s benefits, please click here. (http://hrweb.mit.edu/benefits)
How to Apply

Please apply to job ID #25177 on MIT’s Careers Website (https://hr.mit.edu/careers)
Online job application should include (uploaded as a single PDF in ANY upload field):
o A cover letter that includes:
▪ A brief description of your experience as a research assistant and with any
independent research (e.g. thesis or other research projects)
▪ A description of your familiarity with various statistical and computer packages
(e.g. STATA, SAS, Matlab, Python, Perl etc.)
▪ The names of two references (and their email and phone contact information)
who will be providing written references. At least one reference must be
someone for whom you have worked as a research assistant. Please indicate
which references you have worked for as a research assistant.

o A current CV
o A transcript (unofficial is fine).
o A condensed transcript. Please provide a written list of classes on the transcript that are
in economics, mathematics, statistics or computer science. For each please include
columns for the name of the course, the date taken, the school at which the course was
taken, and the main textbook(s) used in the course. Please include any courses you are
currently taking.
o The date on which you are available to start work.

In addition to the online application, please ask your references (2) to send a written letter of
recommendation to Professor Finkelstein’s attention to the following email address:
aecabral@mit.edu. Letters are preferred as soon as possible after the submission of the
application but applications can be considered before the letters arrive.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Short-listed applicants will be asked to
complete a technical exercise and may be called for an interview.