cover letter phd economics

PHD Application cover letter examples

As the highest postgraduate qualification you can achieve, it’s no wonder that most PhD programs require a cover letter as part of the application process.

So, if you’re hoping to complete your doctorate, you need to brush up on your writing skills and prove why you deserve a place in the program.

To help you do that, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide, complete with PhD cover letter examples to support your application.

CV templates 

PHD Application cover letter example 1

PHD Application cover letter example 2

PHD Application cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your PHD Application cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a PHD Application cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your PHD Application cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of *specialist field PHD Applicant* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.

Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.

Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.

Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.

This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.

The information to add should include:

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network –  e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Jill North IT Project Manager 078837437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.

What to include in your PHD Application cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your PHD Application cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

PHD Application cover letter templates

Copy and paste these PHD Application cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Dear Admissions Committee

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Ph.D. in Physics programme at the University of London. As a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a deep fascination with the fundamental principles of physics, I am eager to contribute my academic background and research experience to your faculty.

I hold an MSc in Physics from the University of Birmingham, where I achieved distinctions for quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and atomic & molecular physics. During this period, I was involved in evaluating quantum phenomena using computational methods, which honed my analytical skills and provided insights into the intricate nature of quantum systems. My passion for research has also led me to publish two peer-reviewed papers in reputable journals.

I am enthusiastic about continuing my journey in addressing challenges in the field of physics and have previously collaborated with renowned experts in securing £10M in funding to support projects, as well as improving experimental efficiency by 40% through implementing state-of-the-art quantum optics equipment. I have also delivered presentations to share research on condensed matter systems.

I am thrilled at the possibility of joining your institution. Thank you for considering me for the programme.

Kind regards

Matt Turner

I am writing to you concerning the Ph.D. program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Oxford. I possess a profound passion for advanced research and innovation in chemical engineering, with an eagerness to contribute my academic background and problem-solving abilities to your institution.

I hold an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London and had the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge projects alongside esteemed experts. We focused on sustainable practices in chemical manufacturing, as well as the efficient production, transformation, and transportation of various products. I helped design and conduct experiments to improve chemical operations and reduce environmental impacts, where my findings were published in two peer-reviewed journals.

Some key accomplishments during master’s studies include, obtaining research funding worth £2M to conduct experiments in catalysis and reaction engineering, and playing a role in improving industrial processes by 50%. In addition, I delivered five oral presentations at international conferences to share information on driving sustainable practices.

Thank you for considering my application, and I am available at your convenience for further discussions.

Sable Norris

Dear Members of the Graduate Admissions Committee

I am writing to express my interest in the Ph.D. programme in Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. I possess a profound fascination for uncovering the mysteries of the past, and I am focused on contributing my academic background, fieldwork experience, and research skills to your institution.

I obtained a master’s degree in Archaeology from the University of Manchester, where I had the privilege of working closely with esteemed faculty and engaged in research that ignited my passion for understanding the Sumerian civilisation.

During my studies I conducted original research on the excavation and analysis of burial sites to shed light on their ancient practices and cultural beliefs, completing 95 excavation seasons, which was 30+ more than any other student, co-authoring two research papers published in reputable journals, and securing £500K from the UK government to conduct a 3-month research trip in the Middle East.

My experience coupled with advanced coursework in archaeological methodologies and artefact analysis have equipped me with the skills to excel in the programme. Thank you for considering my application.

Dominic Ferdinand

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a place on a PHD, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

• Your Job Search
• Developing Application Materials
• Academic Job Market

Academic Cover Letters

The cover letter is a single spaced, two-page introductory document that creates a narrative for your application package. It introduces the search committee to your:

• Enthusiasm for the position and your expected availability (e.g., expected defense date)
• Teaching and teaching assistantships
• Other relevant experience (internships, previous professional experience, etc.)
• Fit (why you are the right person for the position, understanding of campus culture and values, etc.)

Because no cover letter can convey all this information appropriately in only two pages, you will need to tailor your letter depending on the department, the university, the requirements specified in the job call, your application package, etc.

Keep in mind, the cover letter should not directly lift content from other supporting material. For example, if a job call also asks for a Teaching Statement or Philosophy, you should not feel pressure to condense all of that content into a paragraph. Rather use the cover letter to illustrate how your teaching fits into your scholarly identity. Consider how it is informed by your research, commitment to equity and inclusion, etc.

• How the job call is written, which responsibilities are presented and in what order – is teaching prioritized over research?
• What application documents are requested – is there something not requested that you could elaborate on in the cover letter?
• What student populations would you engage with as a faculty member in the department – undergraduate? graduate? both?
• Is the institution mission-driven – how does that impact your professional narrative?

The cover letter could include a combination of the following paragraphs:

Opening Paragraph

Just like articles and dissertations have a central “thesis” or research question, this paragraph gives the letter’s thesis statement, clarifying how your mix of experience makes you the best candidate for the job. This paragraph lists the basics of the cover letter:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain your interest in the position and institution
• Basic rundown of who you are as a scholar in relation to the role

Body Paragraphs

This content could address your research project(s), areas of interest, methodological training, and future research agendas. Think about how you would fit into the department and the expertise you would provide. If you are applying to a research institution, your research paragraphs should come first.

You will want to include some of the following points:

• Your current research project (dissertation)
• Potential future projects (dissertation to book, next research project, etc.)
• Impact of your project(s) (publications, conference or poster presentations, public lectures, etc.)
• Other achievements (grants and funding won, awards earned, public-facing work, etc.)
• Potential collaborations within the department and/or across the institution, depending on the interdisciplinary nature of the position.

This content discusses your teaching experience, whether as an instructor of record or a TA, your pedagogical training, and any mentoring/advising. If the job is teaching-focused, this should be where you start. Use this space to introduce how your teaching is a part of who you are as a scholar.

• Your approach to teaching
• Other ways you have engaged with and/or mentored students (office hours, summer research opportunities, etc.)
• Expertise in relation to courses you are prepared to teach

This content communicates how you contribute to the collegial nature of the institution or department to which you are applying. It might range from a full paragraph to a few sentences supplementing your research or teaching paragraphs.

You can pull from:

• Graduate Assistantships or other service you have done within your department (e.g., serving on committees), the institution, or professional organizations
• Conference volunteering and service
• Search committee participation
• Other volunteer work and community involvement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This content discusses how your current and future experiences consider diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility. Commitment to DEI can be shown through:

• Research areas, pedagogical applications, or service in and outside of institutions
• Where you align with the mission statement of the institution and/or department
• How you can contribute to the student population or wider community

These considerations are communicated most seamlessly not as stand-alone paragraphs, but woven into your document as a whole.

Closing Paragraph

Think back to your thesis statement and reinforce your excitement about the role. Keep it short and to the point – thank them for their time and consideration, ending with a professional sign off and full name.

General Tips Before Submission

• Prior to submitting, double check that the cover letter is signed and saved as a PDF (preferably on Northwestern letterhead).
• As with all application documents, make sure to have multiple eyes on the content before submitting it to the hiring committee.
• Take advantage of the support Northwestern provides from the Graduate Writing Place and Northwestern Career Advancement.
• Postdocs can make appointments for individualized feedback with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

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Letters of Recommendation

• Getting Useful Letters of Recommendation
• Letters from  faculty members who know you well are the most useful letters for gaining admission to top 30 PhD and MA programs.  
• For MA and PhD programs out of the top 30, it is less clear how useful it is to have letters of recommendation from faculty members.  Note: it is always useful to have letter writers who know you well!
• Do your best to talk with your Professors when you are taking their classes! Go to office hours, ask questions in class and/or walk with the professor from class back to the department.
• These classes are under 20 students which really helps the instructor to get to know you personally.
• Typically, you will work on skills that are hard to offer in large classes such as presenting, writing, working together, etc.
• They are taught by our faculty who are well-connected in the profession. This increases the possibility that the reviewer of your MA or PhD application will know the person who wrote your letter of recommendation.
• Consider becoming an Undergraduate Instructional Assistant or a PSET Tutor/Coordinator. Again, this helps the faculty get to know you in another capacity and will allow them to speak about how responsible you are, how well you work with other, etc

Asking for a letter of recommendation

• Please use our Letter of Recommendation (LOR) system to ask for a letter of recommendation from the faculty members who gave you such a high grade. NOTE: The letter of recommendation system opens on October 2, 2023 for next year’s application cycle. LOR System is closed during the summer, June through September.
• Consider signing up for Alumni Email for Life (its free) and then you can use our letter of recommendation system (which re-opens on  October 2, 2023 ).
• You can also e-mail your Professors directly.  When you e-mail the faculty member(s), be sure to include the following statement: “I consent to the release of personal and educational information about me in the letter of recommendation that I have requested from you. This authorization allows you to release all information about me, within the University’s possession, to [fill in details (e.g., any other educational institution, any centralized application processing services (list by name if possible), both, etc.]. This authorization shall remain valid unless and until it is rescinded in writing.”
• Please use our Letter of Recommendation system (which opens 10/02/23) to ask Economics faculty for a letter of recommendation. NOTE:  LOR System is closed during the summer, June through September.
• Complete this form and email as an attachment or deliver in person to the faculty or staff member you wish to write a letter of recommendation for you. 
• Research Experience
• Writing Personal Statements

Create Résumés and Cover Letters

Résumés and cover letters provide a critical first impression to potential employers and often are the only information an employer has to assess how qualified you are for a position and why you are interested in the position and company. Employers commonly spend 30 to 60 seconds reviewing each résumé/cover letter before making a decision, so having flawless and well-written materials can increase your chances of being invited to an interview.  

Review our training videos, sample documents and tips below for résumés, cover letters, references, and CV’s and make a career advising appointment to get feedback .  

• Résumé Tips + Samples
• Cover Letter Tips
• Reference Tips
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) Tips
• Sample Undergraduate Résumés
• Sample Master’s Résumés
• Refer to our Resume Writing Guide  and short video tutorial on Writing Résumés to ensure you are following standard résumé writing practices.
• Do not include any false or misleading information on your résumé.
• Check for typos! Many employers will immediately disqualify a candidate who does not proofread. Have a trusted person review for errors.
• Tailor your résumé to the job. Include information about your skills, experiences and education that is relevant to the position.
• Use action verbs to begin your experience descriptions (bullet points). Do not use the phrases, “responsible for” or “duties include.”  Learn more about How to Write an Effective Bullet Point .
• Demonstrate your accomplishments and use numbers when applicable . For example, explain how you improved a process, how much money you saved, or how many students you tutored.  
• Avoid using acronyms , unless they are specifically defined. Do not use highly technical jargon. If possible, have an industry professional critique your résumé.
• Do not include personal information (such as age, gender, marital status), photographs, or references on the résumé. References are provided to employers on a separate document if they are requested.
• Do not include information about high school unless you are a college freshman, if your experiences or accomplishments are highly relevant to the role or if your high school has a strong alumni network.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to show the employer  HOW your skills, experiences, and education make you the perfect candidate for the position, WHY  you are interested in that role and organization and is a SAMPLE of  your written communication abilities

• Review our video tutorial on Writing Effective Cover Letters and our Cover Letter Packet to learn structure and content basics.
• A cover letter should not exceed 1 page (typically 3-4 paragraphs).
• Use the same font and style as your résumé for consistency.
• Do not send the same cover letter for every position . Tailor the content of your letter to the position, otherwise the employer will be able to tell it’s a generic letter.
• Do not simply repeat the information on your résumé in the cover letter. The cover letter should connect your experiences and skills to the needs of the position or organization.  
• Get your cover letter reviewed by an Economics Career Advisor to make sure you are marketing your skills and experiences in a compelling way!
• Review The Right (and Wrong) Way to Ask Someone to be a Reference to learn basic resume etiquette.
• Create your references list , which typically includes 3 individuals who can positively speak about your professional or academic accomplishments – supervisors, colleagues, and professors who know you well are a good starting point.

Curriculum Vitae’s (CV’s) are typically only used in academia or when applying to Master’s or PhD-level graduate programs.  Some companies utilize the term CV interchangeably with a résumé, but they usually are looking for more of a standard résumé format.

• View our guide to writing a CV
• Review the   “Credentials” section on Graduate School website

Next steps: Find Internships or Jobs

Now that you have a flawless résumé and cover letter, time to start finding and applying for opportunities!

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Job Placement

Placement timeline, faqs, and interview advice.

Placement Directors 2024/25: Gabriel Chodorow-Reich and Jeremy Stein To assist with the preparation and planning for the market, refer to the suggested timeline and FAQs. 

Timeline   (2024/25)

FAQ 1 (coming May 2024)

FAQ1a (coming August 2024)

FAQ2 (coming September 2024)

FAQ3 (coming October 2024)

Application List Template   (use this when you create your application list)

How to Do a Great Interview on Zoom  

Zoom Setup Tips: Lighting, Screens, Sound   (with thanks to Shengwu Li) 

Negotiating and Exploding Offers   (see also Advice from Chris Blattman 2014/15) 

CV, Resume, and Webpage

CV Curriculum Vitae Template  (6/25/23 version) for Harvard Economics Job Market Candidates (in Word using table layout; turn on "view gridlines" to fill it out ) and general information  ( The CV Guide ) on constructing your Curriculum Vitae. Note: The CV template is new for 2023/24 and specific to Harvard economics.

Resume For those applying to any private-sector job, a non-academic resume is your calling card. The Office of Career Services provides excellent help in the form of workshops and Resume and Cover Letter advice and templates. Previous Harvard students give OCS high marks, especially in helping with Resume writing.

Webpage Harvard is discontinuing the creation of Open Scholar pages. Paul Millett will work with every job market student to set up their webpages on Campus Press, the Harvard substitute for Open Scholar. Students with other websites (e.g., GitHub) can then add a line (e.g., "see my personal website") on the Campus Press page to enable access to their materials, including CV, JMP, and other papers.

Advice and Resources for the Job Market  

Compiling Your List

• JOE -  https://www.aeaweb.org/joe/    JOE will be your main resource.
• EJM -  https://econjobmarket.org / EJM will also be important.

Other platforms to search include:

• European Econ Assoc -  https://www.eeassoc.org/
• APPAM -  https://www.appam.org/
• Chronicle of Higher Ed -  https://jobs.chronicle.com/
• American Finance Assoc -  https://afajof.org/
• SSRN -  https://www.ssrn.com/index.cfm/en/
• Royal Ecoonomic Society RES -  https://res.org.uk/
• Academy of Management AOM -  https://aom.org/

Writing Resources

Writing well and effectively are important skills. These resources will help.

• Claudia Goldin, The Ten Most Important Rules of Writing Your Job Market Paper
• Deidre McCloskey, Economical Writing
• William Zinsser, On Writing Well; The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Tips and Advice (from Job Market Gurus and Harvard PhDs) and More Job Market Facts

• AEA Job Market Committee 2022 Report: Job Market Openings by Sector 
• American Economic Association, Communications from the Committee on the Job Market . Some recent information on supply and demand (what else?), plus the AEA’s advice to employers.
• Alex Albright, " So You Want to Go on the Job Market ." Reflections, sage advice, and a lot of data from one of our 2022 PhD graduates (and talented holiday party emcee).
• Chris Blattman, Managing the Academic Job Market . Chris Blattman (University of Chicago Harris School) offers some of the best advice we’ve seen. Read it. Some will be more relevant and some less relevant to your specific job search.
• John Cawley, Guide and Job Market Advice (2018-2019 edition). A standard resource in economics.
• Alex Chan, My Experience in the 2022-23 Job Market  Come to the Oct. 17, 2023 placement meeting and hear Alex. 
• Shoshana Vasserman's Job Market Tips  
• Eric Zwick, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Market . Zwick graduated from Harvard in 2014 and is an Associate Professor of Finance at University of Chicago Booth School.
• Anonymous, The Market in the Time of COVID (2021).
• Non-Academic Tips and Advice . Note the advice under “Job search through connections: Who.” You have lots of friends and family – previous Harvard PhDs. If they are working at a place you’d like to be, use them as a resource to find non-academic jobs.

GSAS Resources The  Office of Career Services  offers a wide range of services and resources tailored specifically to the needs of graduate students pursuing positions in academic and non-academic markets.

• PhD Program
• Program Requirements
• Job Market Candidates
• Career Placement for Prior Classes
• Financial Support

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PhD Economics

During your PhD programme, you’ll be guided by leading research-active academics with expertise in various fields, including macroeconomics, microeconomic theory, econometrics and applied Microeconomics. These experts will help you delve into comprehensive research and advanced study within these key areas.

Key course information

October 2024 - full-time, october 2024 - part-time, why choose this programme.

The School of Economics has a reputation as a leading research-intensive department in the UK. In  the 2021 Research Excellence Framework , our School was ranked in the top 10 schools in the UK for world-leading research. The School achieved an overall ranking of 6th for real-world impact and 8th for research environment in REF 2021.

Our doctoral programme starts with the  MRes Economics programme  in the first year, followed by the three-year PhD programme (with the possibility of a one-year extension).

During your PhD programme, you’ll learn from leading research-active academics with expertise in a wide range of areas, including:

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomic theory
• Econometrics
• Applied microeconomics.

We belong to the South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc), a consortium of six leading UK universities promoting inventive and inclusive social science research training and collaboration, as well as the possibility of funding for your studies.

When you apply to the MRes/PhD course, if you require funding, you will automatically be considered for one of our scholarships. See also  other available scholarships .

We offer generous studentships for the duration of the MRes/PhD course for outstanding candidates.

Programme details Open

What you will study.

Our PhD programme produces graduates who are sought-after by leading economics departments, business schools and research institutions around the world.

Your first year will be spent studying core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, while working on your research. The final two years of your PhD will be entirely dedicated to independent research, leading to a PhD dissertation.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching and research activity of the School.

Your first year will be spent studying the core modules below whilst simultaneously working on your research.

• Topics in Empirical Microeconomics
• Topics in Macroeconomics Modelling 1
• Topics in Macroeconometrics .
• Topics in Microeconomic Theory
• Topics in Applied Theory
• Topics in Macroeconomics Modelling 2 .

These modules are correct as of August 2023.

Personal and professional development

We have a package of development opportunities that will boost your research and teaching skills and put you in the best position to secure employment at the end of your course.

In addition to our  Researcher Development Programme , which is provided to all PhD students at the University, we also offer a number of other learning opportunities.

Research assistant opportunities

During your PhD, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside your research supervisor and other academic colleagues as a paid research assistant. You will be involved in activities such as conducting literature reviews, helping with data analysis and interpretation for current research projects, and you will play an active role in the research community of the School. These activities will typically be more intensive during the summer months.

Graduate Certificate of Higher Education

In the first year of your PhD, you will have the opportunity to enrol on the  PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education  programme offered at Surrey, by our own highly regarded Department of Higher Education. You will learn about pedagogy, practise your teaching skills and receive an internationally-recognised teaching qualification that will allow you to become a member of the Higher Education Academy.

Teaching opportunities

During your PhD, and on successful completion of your teacher training, you will be offered the opportunity to take on a range of paid teaching activities, fully supported by your academic colleagues. These teaching opportunities will further reinforce your personal and academic skills and help to enhance your understanding of your subject area as well as adding significantly to your CV.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

Research areas Open

Research themes.

• Behavioural economics
• Big data and resampling techniques
• Choice under uncertainty
• Development economics
• Duration models
• Econometric identification
• Economics of crime
• Education economics
• Empirical revealed preference
• Financial economics
• Games theory
• Health economics
• Heterogeneous agents in macroeconomics
• Labour economics
• Learning and imperfect information in macroeconomics
• Mechanism design
• Models of household decision making
• Network and spatial econometrics
• Optimal taxation
• Quantile regression
• Quasi-experimental methods
• Rational choice theory
• Strategic experimentation
• Strategic voting
• Structural modelling
• The consumer choice model
• The econometrics of auctions.

Research centres and groups

• Applied Microeconomics Group
• Centre for International Macroeconomic Studies  
• Econometrics Group  
• Surrey Energy Economics Centre  
• Theory Group

Academic staff Open

See a full list of all our  economics academic staff .

Support and facilities Open

Research support.

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College , which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Hear from our students Open

Stefano Cellini

Student - Economics PhD

"As soon as I decided to apply and began to talk with possible supervisors, I understood that faculty members and PhD students thrive in such a stimulating environment."

Vedanta Dhamija

"Both of my supervisors have been very supportive in my PhD journey. Their expertise in the subject has provided me with valuable insights and I really look up to them as people and as researchers. They have always been around to guide, despite their busy schedules, and at the same time have encouraged me to work independently."

Career opportunities Open

Our PhD students have gone on to academic positions as lecturers and postdoctoral researchers in the UK and overseas, including institutions such as:

• University of Cambridge
• University of Sussex
• University of East Anglia
• European University Institute
• University of Glasgow
• London School of Economics
• University of Texas at Austin.

Our past students have also gone on to take leading positions in international institutions including:

• International Monetary Fund
• European Central Bank
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
• Financial Conduct Authority
• Bank of Canada
• European Investment fund
• Leading think tanks and economic consultancy firms.

Entry requirements Open

Country-specific qualifications, international students in the united kingdom.

Students enrolled in the MRes in Economics at the University of Surrey will automatically receive a conditional offer on application to the PhD during their MRes studies. The condition to progress into the PhD will be to pass the MRes at least with merit (60%).

Applicants from other institutions are expected to hold an MRes degree in a relevant discipline, normally with a first-class honour (or equivalent). A minimum of two referees should be provided with your application. Applicants are also requested to submit a cover letter specifying their motivation to pursue a PhD in Economics at the University of Surrey and highlighting their broad research interests.

GRE criteria

Applicants should also take the GRE exam, unless they have completed a University of Surrey degree or are currently studying with us. Only the Quantitative Reasoning part of the GRE test is compulsory. Applications without evidence of GRE (Quantitative Reasoning) will not be considered.

Please note your GRE exam statement should be less than five years old at the start of the course.

You should arrange for an official certificate of your score to be sent to Admissions of the University from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), as well as entering your scores in the relevant section of the application form.

Please also select the University of Surrey as an official score recipient. You can also find instructions on how to have your scores sent to an institution. The Surrey institution code for the GRE is 3495; no department code is required as the scores are processed centrally.

For more information about the test please see the GRE website or the ETS website.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic:   6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept. 

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses , designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

• Meeting the expected entry requirements
• Being shortlisted through the application screening process
• Completing a successful interview
• Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding Open

Fees per year.

Explore  UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the  list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

• Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
• Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

When you apply, if you require funding, you will automatically be considered for one of our studentships.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

How to apply

The standard entry route to this PhD programme is through the MRes Economics programme .

Application process

Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our  application guidance .

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

About the University of Surrey

Accommodation

We have a range of housing to suit all requirements and budgets. There are more than 6,000 rooms available (en-suite, single-sex, studio flat, shared or single).

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Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF) .

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures , student regulations , and terms and conditions .

We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:

• First when we make an offer.
• Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).

View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.

It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer .

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Sample Motivation Letter For Your Economics PhD Application

Read a summary or generate practice questions using the INOMICS AI tool

When you apply for an economics  PhD , you will need to write not just a research proposal but also a letter of motivation. This letter describes why you wish to undertake a PhD and why you would be well-suited to researching your proposed topic. But what needs to go in this letter, and what tone is appropriate for it?

To give you some ideas, INOMICS is sharing a sample economics letter of motivation, as well as offering advice on how to write your own, so you can maximize your chances of getting accepted. If you plan to start your PhD application this autumn, you can download our free guide " How to successfully apply to a PhD in Economics ".

It should be noted that a European-style motivation letter focuses on academic background and research history, avoiding too much personal information. The US-style personal statement, on the other hand, is much more 'life experience' based. Here, we focus on the European style.

1. What to include in a motivation letter

There are a number of essentials you should include in your motivation letter when applying for your PhD. The introduction should (perhaps obviously) clearly state which economics program you are applying for. This will lead nicely into the next section, which should contain your reasons for wanting to do a PhD and specifically why you wish to do the program for which you've applied.

It is important to show what impact your proposed research will have on the industry, including perhaps the gaps in the literature/research that currently exist and how your research fills these in. Following on from this, your own academic background should be explained, including any academic achievements or awards you may have garnered aside from your degrees. Finally, your future career plans, and how your PhD and research proposal will help you achieve them, could be your closing statement of the motivation letter.

2. Be specific

One bad habit that many people have when writing their motivation letter is being too vague. Saying that you enjoyed your economics undergraduate course or that you find economics interesting is too vague to be meaningful. After all, it can already be assumed that you enjoyed studying economics or you wouldn't be applying for a PhD.

Instead, try to be more specific: mention which particular courses or topics appealed to you most, what you learned from them, and why you want to learn more about them. This is also a good way to mention your research areas of interest and how they will benefit the field.

3. Give concrete examples

Another common mistake is to make claims without giving any evidence to back those claims up. For example, you'll often see people say 'I work well independently' or 'I am highly organized and good at managing all of my assignments'. Without demonstrating how these things are true, there is no reason for the hiring committee to give weight to your self-assessment.

For better results, give concrete examples of your claims in action, such as 'My high level of organization was demonstrated when I completed my economics undergraduate courses while also working a part-time job, which required excellent time management skills' or 'In my second year, I successfully organized an undergraduate conference with 50 attendees.'

4. Show your personality

It is important to be professional in your motivation letter, so the letter should not contain jokes, sarcasm, or irrelevant personal information. However, you also needn't be dull and impersonal. You can and should allow your personality to shine through in your letter, and show how you are different from other candidates.

Maybe you have strong opinions about a particular topic in economics, or perhaps you have taken an unconventional career path. In these cases, you needn't hide your individuality. Show how your background gives you a unique perspective on your subject's issues and your approach to academic work. Remember, the point of the motivation letter is not to show how similar you are to an imagined perfect candidate – it's to show off your unique personal approach and how you could be a great PhD student.

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5. Focus on skills

An adjustment issue that some people have in during a PhD program is the gulf in requirements between an undergraduate or Master's course and a PhD. In an undergraduate or Master's course, you have to attend classes, complete assignments, and perform well in assessments. In a PhD, you will often have to come up with your own research questions, choose the best methodology to answer those questions, and motivate and organize yourself to complete your work.

If you don't have direct experience with doing these PhD tasks, that's okay – you won't be expected to know everything before you even start the PhD. However, you do want to show in your motivation letter that you have the capacity to perform this kind of work. In order to do this, you should focus on the skills that you have – such as data analysis, writing, research, presentation, and so on. Try to give examples of how you have used these skills in the past to show that you're ready for the challenge of a PhD now.

6. Talk about your future plans

Something that hiring committees like to see is that you are interested in working in your chosen field in the future. This means that you need to talk about what your post-PhD plans are if you want to be accepted. For most people applying for a PhD, the interest will be in doing a postdoc once they have completed the PhD. Other people may know that they want to work in industry, or for an NGO or for the government.

Any of these answers is fine, but the committee will want to see that you have thought about your long-term career. Do mention your long-term plans near the end of your motivation letter to show that you are serious about a career in your chosen field.

7. Sample motivation letter for an economics PhD

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my interest in pursuing a PhD in economics at Imperial College London.

I am particularly keen to apply for the doctoral program in the economics department at Imperial as its research interests are an excellent match for my academic background. I studied Business Management for my BA at Kingston University and during this time I developed a particular interest in the relationship between government policies affecting small businesses and economic outcomes country-wide. Furthering this interest, my BA thesis, which was supervised by Prof. Helen Smith, used statistical techniques to analyse the rate of growth of small businesses before and after new legislation regarding wages was put into place. My aim was not only to consider the ethical arguments regarding minimum wages and small businesses, but also to find evidence about whether policies encouraged or discouraged the growth of small businesses.

After completing my BA, I undertook an MSc in economics at University College London. From this course I gained deeper knowledge of statistics and modelling, which I made use of in my thesis project – an investigation into how the number of people employed by a small business affects the ability of that business to weather changes in wage laws. My aim throughout this project was to gather more evidence on the effect of new wage laws on the long-term stability of small businesses.

I now wish to continue my academic career with a PhD in economics, and I cannot imagine a better place to study this than the business school at Imperial. I admire the economics department’s commitment to both fairness and to accuracy, and I wish to further my work on minimum wage increases and small businesses in a way that respects both the dignity of workers and the needs of business owners. I particularly wish to work with Dr. Jane Brown, whose work on small business ethics has been a great source of inspiration for me.

This research has the potential to contribute to the theoretical models of small business growth in economics, but it also can contribute real-world value to policymakers and small business owners. As small businesses are often touted as the counterbalance in the move towards large multinational corporations due to globalisation, greater understanding of how to support these small businesses, and how to help them grow, will only become more valuable in the future.

Owing to my extensive knowledge of small business and wage laws, and my experience with statistical analyses and modelling, I am confident that I can complete the research project which I have proposed to a high standard. While both my previous thesis projects were on a smaller scale, I have recently been volunteering as a research assistant in a co-operative project focussing on cultural differences in small business creation, which has given me experience on large-scale projects too. This experience has helped me to plan out the time for my PhD realistically and confidently.

After completing the PhD, I plan to either pursue a postdoc placement within academic economics, or to work as a consultant for small business associations and policymakers. I believe that with my knowledge and experience in this increasingly important field, I can make important contributions to both the Imperial Business School and wider discipline of economics. I hope to be considered for this position.

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Resumes and Cover Letters

Resumes & cover letters.

Resumes and cover letters are an important part of your job search because they are often how you make a first impression to a potential employer. An employer will often base the decision on whether to invite you for an interview because of the information you provide on your resume and in your cover letter. Your resume and cover letter should be two documents that concisely tell an employer your story and why you are the best candidate for the job!

Resume Tips

• There should be no false information.
• Check your resume for correct spelling and grammar.
• ALWAYS have someone review your resume before submitting.
• One page – As a college student you should be able to include all relevant information on one page.
• Tailor your resume to the position – Include relevant information about skills, experiences and education that the employer is seeking.
• Use   action verbs  –Don’t use the phrases “Responsible for” or “Duties include.” Each phrase should start with an action verb.
• Well-organized – Your resume should be easy to read. Select one font and keep the formatting simple. No need to bold, italicize and underline everything. See the resume samples for ideas of how to format your resume.
• Add quantitative information – If you raised funds, how much? Did you tutor students? If so, how many and how often? Did you increase sales? If so, by how much?
• Show accomplishments – Employers want to see that you made an impact. Did you improve a process? Save money? What was the result of your time there?
• Be careful with acronyms – Spell them out the first time and don’t  assume everyone will know what they mean.
• Have industry professionals critique your resume, if possible.
• Personal information such as age, gender, marriage status.
• Photographs
• Personal Interests that are not relevant to the position
• References – they should be on a separate page
• High school information – Your resume should focus on your college accomplishments. We suggest you only include high school information if you are a freshman, if your high school has a strong alumni network, or if your high school accomplishments are unique.
• Find more resume tips  here. 

Resume Examples – courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Economics office

Reference list example – courtesy of the university of wisconsin economics office, cover letters.

Your cover letter is another opportunity for you to tell the employer how you are the perfect fit for the position. You should always include a cover letter with a resume.

The cover letter consists of 3-4 paragraphs that are tailored to that specific position and  describes how your skills, experiences and education have prepared you for that specific position.

Cover Letter Tips

• Do what you can to find a name and title to include in the salutation. Make sure to verify the spelling and gender of this person.
• Use the same font and heading as your resume for consistency.
• Do not send the same cover letter for every position, you can always use the same template but make it personal to the position.
• Do not repeat the same information that is on your resume. The cover letter should complement your resume.
• See more cover letter tips here.

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Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond

Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner

Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don’t know much about the preparation you’ll need and the available job opportunities. If you’re wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We’ll review how to prepare for a career in economics research, what an economics PhD program entails, and what types of opportunities it might bring. Economic education is a core component of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s mission to serve the community. To empower would-be economists, this post provides information for students who seek a career in economics research. We hope this information will be helpful to students interested in economics, regardless of their background and economic situation.  This information is most applicable to students applying to programs in the United States.  

The Breadth of Economics Research  

Academic disciplines conduct research in different ways, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of the types of questions economists ask and how they approach answering them. There are many definitions of economics, but a broadly useful one is the study of how people, organizations, and governments make decisions under different constraints, and how those decisions may affect their outcomes. 

When answering these questions, economists seek to ground their analyses in models and to be quantitatively precise about the effects they assign to any given cause. The range of topics economists can study is wide, but the accepted approaches to answering questions are stricter. Some examples of what economists might ask: 

• How do different public housing programs affect the children who live there? 
• Does a certain type of law encourage businesses to innovate? 
• How will a change in the interest rate affect inflation and unemployment rates? 
• How much does affordable health insurance improve people’s health? 
• How can poor countries eradicate poverty? 

There are many different subfields within economics, including, but not limited to behavioral, econometrics, energy/environmental, development, financial, international, monetary, public, and urban economics. You can familiarize yourself with the latest work in economics by subscribing to working paper series, such as NBER’s New This Week or the New York Fed’s Staff Reports . To get an idea of the breadth of questions economists can answer, you could listen to Stephen Dubner’s “ Freakonomics Radio ” podcast. You may also want to explore the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the New York Fed’s Liberty Street Economics blog, VoxDev , or VoxEU .  

What Is a PhD Program Like?    

Economics PhD programs typically last five to seven years. Unlike masters programs, they are often fully funded with a stipend, though most require students to complete teaching assistant and/or research assistant (RA) work as part of their funding package. In the first two years, students take classes, many of which are mathematically demanding. The rest of the program can include additional classes but is primarily devoted to original research with the aim of producing publishable papers that will constitute the dissertation.  

Faculty advisors are a central part of PhD programs, as students look to them for guidance during the research process. Economics PhD programs are offered within university economics departments, but there are similar programs in public policy and business schools. You can look at their websites to understand any differences in coursework and subsequent job placements. 

What Can You Do with an Economics PhD?  

Upon graduation, students can obtain jobs in a variety of industries. Many PhD students hope to become university professors. Governments and public policy-related institutions such as the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. federal government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also hire economists to work on policy, lead programs, and conduct research. Finally, economics PhD graduates can also find employment at a variety of private sector companies, including banks, economic consulting firms, and big tech companies. The pay for these different positions can vary. According to the American Economics Association (AEA), the average starting salary for economics assistant professors in 2022-23 was approximately $140,000 at PhD granting institutions and $98,000 at BA granting institutions. 

Programs often publish the placements of their PhD graduates, so you can look online to see specific employment outcomes. See, for example, the University of Maryland’s placements . Ultimately, economists are highly regarded as authorities on a variety of topics. Governments, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and non-financial businesses all look to economists to answer important questions about how to best achieve their goals. Thus, earning an economics Ph.D. can potentially help you to influence issues that are important to you. 

Preparing for an Economics PhD Program  

There are several components to an economics PhD program application: college transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Please download the Appendix linked below to learn more about transcripts and letters of recommendation. The Appendix details ways in which you can select coursework, obtain research experience, and develop relationships to position yourself for success as a PhD applicant.  

If you feel that you are too far along in your academic career to take enough of the classes described in the Appendix, this does not necessarily preclude you from pursuing an economics PhD. For example, it’s possible to take some of these classes through a master’s program, or through a pre-doctoral RA job. Some pre-doctoral RA jobs, such as the one here at the New York Fed , may enable you to take classes in preparation for graduate school. If you are concerned about your transcript, reach out to an economist at your university for advice; program standards for coursework and grades vary, and it’s a good idea to get more personalized advice. 

Research Experience   

If you’re interested in becoming an economics researcher and applying to PhD programs, it’s best to get research experience as soon as possible. Working as an RA is a great way to learn how to conduct research and get a better idea of whether it’s the right career path for you. Additionally, it can help you obtain a letter of recommendation for graduate school applications and improve your qualifications.  

All types of academic research can be enriching, but it’s beneficial to gain experience working directly with an economist. To find a position, you can reach out to professors whose work you find interesting or find an RA program at your school. Typical RA tasks may involve data collection and cleaning, as well as running analyses and creating charts to represent results. This is where coding skills become crucial; having taken math, statistics, and econometrics courses will also enable you to take on more responsibilities. 

You may also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, possibly under the supervision of a professor at your university. This research could be self-initiated or part of a course such as a thesis workshop. Self-directed research is a great opportunity to learn about all stages of the research process. It’s also an excellent opportunity to create a writing sample for graduate school applications. Ultimately, though, your motivation for conducting your own research project should be that you want to answer a question.  One thing economists have in common is a love of answering questions using data and theory. 

Research experience is also often obtained after completing an undergraduate or master’s degree. Taking on a full-time RA position before applying to PhD programs is very common and can make you a more competitive applicant. You may either get an RA job working for a professor or participate in a pre-doctoral RA program.  

Research assistant programs are more structured than positions with individual professors or projects, which could be helpful. Universities, parts of the government, think tanks, research organizations, and the Federal Reserve System are all good places to look for research assistant programs. To help you decide which opportunities are most desirable, you may want to ask potential employers : Where do people in this program tend to go afterward? Will I be working directly with an economist? How much of my time will be spent on academic research work? Will I be able to take classes as part of this program? Considering whether an economist will be able to evaluate your performance is an important factor for recommendation letters. The ability to take classes, either through tuition reimbursement or waivers, can also be an important benefit. 

The Research Analyst program here at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one example of these programs and you should check it out here . The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has a large program, and many other regional Federal Reserve Banks have similar programs. In addition, the PREDOC website and the  NBER post listings of RA opportunities. J-PAL and IPA also tend to recruit RAs for economic development projects. Another source of RA opportunities is the @econ_ra account on X. 

Who Should Get a PhD in Economics?  

A PhD may not be for everyone, but it is for anyone—people of all genders, religions, ethnicities, races, and national origins have PhDs in economics. Many economists majored in economics, but others majored in math, physics, or chemistry. Because economics is such an integral part of policymaking, it is important that economists come from a wide range of backgrounds so policy can be stronger and more effective. The inclusion of differing perspectives helps ensure that the contribution of economists to work in public policy, academia, and beyond effectively serves the broadest range of society. 

• Coursework Appendix

Kasey Chatterji-Len is a research analyst in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Research and Statistics Group.

Anna Kovner  is the director of Financial Stability Policy Research in the Bank’s Research and Statistics Group.

How to cite this post: Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner, “Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Liberty Street Economics , May 31, 2024, https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2024/05/thinking-of-pursuing-a-phd-in-economics-info-on-graduate-school-and-beyond/.

You may also be interested in: AEA: Resources for Students

PREDOC: Guidance for Undergraduates

RA Positions-Not at the NBER

Disclaimer The views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author(s).

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• Know you well through significant, direct involvement with you within the last three years
• Will provide detailed anecdotes and examples to support their assertions, including thoughts about your leadership expertise, managerial performance, and executive potential
• Are sufficiently enthused to spend time writing a thoughtful letter

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• How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Provide specific examples. (e.g., what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) — Up to 500 words
• Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. — Up to 500 words
• (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?

A Few Words of Advice

More is Not Better

While we know there are people excited about you who may want to submit unofficial letters of reference, additional letters are neither necessary nor encouraged. The overwhelming majority of successful applicants do not submit any additional materials. If someone submits an additional letter of reference, we will do our best to add it to your application. However, we cannot guarantee it will be considered.

Language for Recommendations

Your letters of recommendation must be submitted in English. For recommendations from non-native English speakers, we will look past minor syntax or grammar errors or awkward phrasing. However, it may be to your advantage to ask your recommender to write the letter in his/her native language. Your recommender should then have the recommendation translated into English by a paid translation service or a colleague or friend of theirs. If a letter is translated into English, your recommender should upload the letter both in the language in which they wrote it and in English, and provide contact information for the translator.

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Department of Economics

• Undergraduate

Paid Legal Support Internship w/the Labor Bureau in NYC at New York State Office of the Attorney General

Employer: New York State Office of the Attorney General

Expires: 06/14/2024

Division of Social Justice Labor Bureau – New York City Student AssistantReference No. LAB_NYC_PUGS_2024Application Deadline is June 14, 2024*Paid, Part-Time Placement for Graduate or Undergraduate StudentsThe Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) Labor Bureau is seeking applications from graduate and undergraduate students for a paid, part-time placement; this is an excellent opportunity for students who are either pursuing or are considering pursing legal and/or labor rights-related careers. The selected student will support the Bureau’s ongoing docket, develop legal skills, and work directly with attorneys, support staff, and other professionals. Applicants must have immediate availability. The duties of the Student Assistant will include, but not be limited to the following:Assisting with intakesInterview members of the public to obtain detailed information regarding complaints made to the bureau.Assisting with witness interviewsProviding eDiscovery supportSearching for documents for deposition preparation and preparing deposition summaries; Tagging, reviewing, and organizing documents for production as well as incoming document production;Maintaining discovery request logs and tracking what has been received and what is outstanding; andCoordinating as needed with the OAG’s Practice Technologies Group on technical issues.Assisting with legal filingsCite-checking, formatting, and proofreading briefs and other documents;Conducting searches using Westlaw or Lexis;Creating tables of contents and tables of authority; andAssisting with submitting filings.Assisting with research and writing assignmentsAssisting with other legal and office support functionsRequired qualifications for the Student Assistant are as follows:Enrollment in a full-time graduate or undergraduate degree program;Excellent organizational, proofreading, and multitasking skills;Strong research and analytical abilities as well as verbal and written communication skills;Proactive with the ability to self-manage assignments and deadlines;Capable of working well both independently and as a member of a team; andStrong technology skills and proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.Preferred qualifications for the Student Assistant are as follows:Students who are pursuing degrees in a relevant area of study such as pre-law, legal/paralegal studies, criminal justice, etc.;Prior work experience in a legal setting;Familiarity with and experience using legal research and eDiscovery applications; andFluency in other languages (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Korean, etc.) Placement DetailsThe format of this placement is hybrid. Students who are working in a hybrid placement may report to their designated workstation two or three (2-3) days per week. On the days student will be working remotely, they will need to have access to a reliable computer, a secure internet connection, a phone, and a sufficiently quiet and private workspace to telework.Applications from students who are starting their first year of college/university during the 2024 fall semester will not be considered.To be eligible for a paid placement, applicants must be able to demonstrate they are full-time graduate or undergraduate students in good academic standing as defined by their schools. Applicants must be available to work 15-30 hours per week during regular business hours. We are seeking applicants who are available to work during the summer and fall terms. Please be advised rehire for an additional term is possible but neither automatic nor guaranteed.The selected candidate will be hired as a student assistant and paid hourly at the graduate student rate, which is $17.55 or the undergraduate student rate, which is $17.23. U.S. citizenship and NYS residency are not required, but applicants must be eligible to be employed in the U.S. Applications must be submitted online and this placement will be filled on a rolling basis.*Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the OAG prior to submitting their applications by visiting the Divisions and Bureaus and  News and Media sections of the OAG website. How to ApplyThe following section provides detailed information about the application process and application requirements. Please review the complete list of instructions prior to preparing and submitting your application materials online. Applications for paid placements must be submitted online. To apply, please visit our careers website: http://www.ag.ny.gov/job-postings.The following four (4) application documents are required:(Click on the document name to learn more)Cover Letter You may address your letter to the Legal Recruitment Unit.Indicate why you are interested in a placement with the OAG and what makes you a strong candidate. Indicate your availability and preferred work schedule.ResumeEnsure your resume is complete and current prior to submitting your application.List of three (3) references.Submit only professional (i.e., supervisor or professor) references.For each reference, indicate the nature and duration of your relationship.Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.Please note that your references will not be contacted until after you interview for the placement.Writing Sample You may choose to submit a paper that you completed for school or a writing sample that you produced during an internship or externship.Submit a sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze and organize information into an effective document. We recommend submitting a sample that is 3-6 pages in length.Failure to submit a complete application will delay the consideration of your candidacy.Please submit your application for this placement at least three (3) weeks prior to any deadlines that could impact your candidacy and note this in your cover letter. If you have questions about a placement with the OAG, the application process or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Legal Recruitment via email at  [email protected] .

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Brookings Institution (The)

Fall 2024, research internship, center on economic security and opportunity, economic studies.

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Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings – one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.

Interns will have the opportunity to attend virtual meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution.

The Center for Economic Security and Opportunity (CESO) produces data-driven, non-partisan analysis to address challenging U.S. social policy questions. This internship is an opportunity for students to explore the economics of education, immigration, and the U.S. safety net within a professional research environment. This position requires a strong foundation in the principles of quantitative analysis, and is best suited for junior or senior undergraduate students in economics or in a related field like mathematics, statistics, or public policy. This internship pays an hourly rate of $17.50, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 25 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here . 

Position Location : This position is open to hybrid and/or remote applicants. Hybrid work combines regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work . Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 

Responsibilities

Applicants should expect a range of responsibilities, broadly defined under the following categories:

Literature review and writing: Intern will assist with collecting, summarizing, and critically evaluating research.

Data cleaning and analysis: Intern will be expected to collect, clean, and analyze data and create graphs and tables for papers, policy memos, presentations, and other products.

Event Staffing: Interns may help prepare materials for events and work at various aspects of the event, such as registration.

Administrative: The applicant should be prepared to help with general office support, assist with special projects, and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Successful applicants will have:

• completed at least two years of study toward an undergraduate degree in economics or a fundamentally related field.

• taken introductory statistics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics; successful completion of an econometrics course is very strongly recommended.

• achieved proficiency in STATA and Microsoft Excel.

• strong writing and proofreading skills.

• a collaborative mindset, a commitment to accuracy, and a sincere desire to explore CESO’s areas of research.

Additional Information: This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and add your cover letter as an attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references .  

 Please note: Applications will be accepted until June 23, 2024. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

 As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).

  Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Brookings Institution (The)

Fall 2024, research internship, center on health policy, economic studies.

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Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings – one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.

Interns will have the opportunity to attend virtual meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution.

About the Economic Studies Program: The Economic Studies program analyzes current and emerging economic issues facing the United States and the world and, based on that research, provides innovative, practical policy recommendations. ES’s work covers a broad array of economic issues, including economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, the labor market, regulation, health policy, the environment, tax policy, retirement policy, and fiscal and monetary policy. Economic Studies scholars influence key economic policies by conducting rigorous and relevant research and then disseminating and communicating their findings to the policy community and to the broader public.

The Center on Health Policy produces rigorous research and analysis that informs the national health care policy debate. Recent and ongoing research examines impediments to prescription drug competition, strategies to enhance insurance coverage, provider consolidation, insurance market design, and policies to improve mental and behavioral health care in the U.S.

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students with an interest in health policy and economics to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. This internship pays an hourly rate of $17.50; applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 25 hours per week, during regular business hours – full-time preferred), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

 To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here . 

  Position Location : This position is open to hybrid and/or remote applicants. Hybrid work combines regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work . Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 

Responsibilities

Interns will gain exposure to a broad set of economic policy topics while developing their analytical thinking and writing skills. Applicants should expect a range of responsibilities, broadly defined under the following categories:

General research and writing: Interns will assist with short-term research and other projects. Examples include research for policy memos, blog posts, or other work products. In addition, interns might be expected to analyze data and create graphs for papers, policy memos, presentations, and other items. Interns would help research potential topics and authors for future center/project work.

Long-term research: Working with the center/project team, interns would help research potential topics and authors for future work.

Event Staffing: Interns may help prepare materials for events and work at various aspects of the event, such as registration.

Administrative: The applicant should be prepared to help with general office support, assist with special projects, and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills: Applicants should be pursing an undergraduate degree in economics or in a related field like mathematics or statistics and should have strong writing and analytical skills. Applicants should have taken introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics. Coursework in statistics or econometrics is highly recommended. Applicants should be proficient using Microsoft Excel. Proficiency with STATA, or other statistical software, is preferred. A successful applicant will have a strong team work ethic and a belief that no task is too big or too small.

Additional Information:  This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and add your cover letter as an attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references .  

 Please note: Applications will be accepted until June 23, 2024. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Oregon State University

Instructor Pool – 2024/2025: Applied Economics

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Department: Applied Economics (AAR)

Appointment Type: Academic Faculty

Job Location: Corvallis

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Job Summary:

The Department of Applied Economics invites applications for one or more fixed-term, non-tenure-track full/part-time Instructor positions to teach on a term-by-term basis for the 2024-2025 academic year. Some of these appointments may be reviewed for renewal or transition to an instructional position on an annual basis at the discretion of the Department Head.

Course topics may include: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Environmental and Resource Economics, Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, and Agricultural Finance.

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

• Top 1.4% university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color • 217k+ alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine county. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. • Retirement savings paid by the university. • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

100% Instruction Duties include all responsibilities related to teaching: preparing and presenting course content, lecturing, grading, keeping office hours for one-on-one student assistance and advising.

What You Will Need

MS in Applied Economics, Business, Agricultural Finance, Finance, or related discipline. Alternatively, Juris Doctorate (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) degree is acceptable for law classes.

PhD in Applied Economics or related discipline is required to teach graduate level courses. Alternatively, Juris Doctorate (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) degree is acceptable for graduate law courses.

What We Would Like You to Have

Graduate teaching experience at the college or university level.

Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1. A resume/CV; and

2. A cover letter describing how your experience, qualifications, and interest have prepared you to teach at the university level in this discipline; identify which discipline(s) you are qualified to teach.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

Please contact Jeff Reimer at 541-737-1415 if you have questions regarding this position or if you’re unable to attach required documents.

Applications will be considered throughout the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/5275909

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