Washington DC

nation’s capital, where policy is made!

The application period for our research assistant positions has ended.

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Washington DC

Our research focuses on a wide variety of topics related to monetary policy, international finance, financial stability, payment systems, supervision and regulation of banks, and consumer and community affairs.

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Our Focus

Our work supports monetary policy decisions to promote maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates—the three economic goals that Congress instructed the Federal Reserve to pursue to ensure the health of the U.S. economy and the stability of the U.S. financial system.

Policy Central

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee set monetary policy with input from the 12 Federal Reserve Banks. As a research assistant, your work provides critical support to policy analysis and original economic research in a wide variety of areas like:

  • International and Domestic Economic Forecasting
  • Monetary Policy Reporting
  • Consumer Finance and Community Development

National Outlook

In addition to setting monetary policy, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System helps ensure the U.S. financial system supports a healthy economy for U.S. households, communities, and businesses by paying special attention to and analyzing:

  • Financial Stability
  • Supervision and Regulation of Banks
  • Payment Systems

Featured Research, Production, and Statistical Releases

FED Notes: Articles in which Board economists offer their own views and present analysis on a range of topics in economics and finance

 

Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED) : Measures the economic well-being of U.S. households and identifies potential risks to their finances.

 

Financial Accounts of the United States – Z.1 : Data on transactions and levels of financial assets and liabilities of the United States.

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Begin Your Journey with Us

Our Research Assistant recruiting process has both fall and spring application cycles. RA positions begin the following summer. Completed applications for the fall cycle are accepted August 15 through October 15, and applications for the spring cycle are accepted October 21 through January 31.

Prepare

Review qualifications and requirements.

  • Academic Qualifications

    Bachelor’s degree with strong background in economics, math, statistics, finance, computer science or related fields.

  • Technical Qualifications

    Statistical software package or programming language experience such as Stata, R, MatLab, Linux/Unix, VBA, and others.

  • Non-Technical Qualifications

    Demonstrate and highlight examples of strong communication skills, experience working both independently and collaboratively, taking initiative, and showing integrity.

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August 15 - Applications open
October 15 - Fall Cycle Deadline
January 31 - Spring Cycle Deadline
Apply

Be sure to carefully review your application before submitting.

  • Application email

    Send to ResearchAssistant@frb.gov; subject line: “RA Application: LASTNAME, FIRSTNAME”.

  • Attachments

    Include a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript(s), name(s) and contact information of two intended recommender(s).

  • Letter(s) of recommendation

    One letter of recommendation required, two letters of recommendation strongly encouraged. Letters must be sent directly by recommender(s) to: ResearchAssistant@frb.gov; subject line: “RA Recommendation: LASTNAME, FIRSTNAME”

  • Candidate Information Form

    Form Link This only needs to be submitted once. You do not need to attach a copy of your responses to your email.

  • Read our Privacy Act Notice (PDF)

    Privacy Notice If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a job, please call 202-452-3880 or email FRBRecruiting@frb.gov

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Interview

Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule a phone or video interview to evaluate their behavioral and technical skills.

  • Fall Recruitment Cycle

    Interviews conducted October through November

    Candidates not selected during fall cycle will automatically be considered during the spring cycle

    Incomplete applications submitted during fall cycle can be completed and considered during spring cycle

  • Spring Recruitment Cycle

    Interviews conducted February through April

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Accept

Offers are extended to fill full-time RA positions on a rolling basis.

  • Offer acceptance

    Upon accepting the offer, you will receive your start date (typically June or July).

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Most positions start the following summer.
Start

Your first few weeks are spent onboarding and learning about the Board's culture, as well as tasks, projects, and necessary technical skills you will need as an RA in your section.

  • Economic Research Divisions Orientation

    We conduct new employee orientation sessions to cover major production and statistical releases, organizational structure of the four economics Divisions, and general information about the Board and the economics community.

  • RA Resource Group Onboarding

    Sessions for new RAs for helpful information and meet other RAs across the Board.

  • RA Technical Training

    Like learning? We offer technical training and access to a wide variety of software packages and subscription services.

  • Emphasis on an Inclusive Community

    Continuous and active work to support an innovative and collaborative culture is a priority for us.

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You made it!
Work

After your first week on the job, you will be ready to contribute.

  • Congratulations!

    You will be part of a section with specific policy and research responsibilities, and will contribute by supporting in-depth economic data analysis to one or more economists.

  • Policy vs. Research

    Depending on your section, you will be exposed to policy and academic work conducted by the economists.

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Our research assistant positions are two year positions. We accept applications, conduct interviews, and extend offers throughout both fall and spring cycles.

Denotes full-time position