[Hiring] Research Analyst I @Duke University

Role Description

As a Research Data Technician / Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow, you'll join a collaborative research team working at the intersection of health economics, mental health policy, and applied microeconomics.

• Support research in health economics and applied microeconomics, focusing on mental health and substance use.
• Work under the research direction of Assistant Professors Jonathan Zhang at Duke University and Sydney Costantini at the University of British Columbia.
• Use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record data to conduct econometric analyses, interpret and present findings, and contribute to research design.
• Advance evidence on the effects of mental health interventions and support the school’s policy research mission.

What You'll Do

• Conduct Econometric Research and Analysis
  • Analyze large VA administrative and electronic health record datasets using R, Stata, Python, or similar statistical software.
  • Apply causal inference and econometric methods to evaluate mental health and substance use interventions.
  • Refine analytical approaches and validate findings in collaboration with faculty investigators.
  • Support studies examining psychotherapy, medication treatments, residential programs, suicide prevention initiatives, and other VA mental health services.
• Prepare and Manage Research Data
  • Clean, organize, and prepare complex healthcare datasets for research analysis.
  • Create analytical datasets and construct research variables.
  • Perform quality assurance checks and maintain clear documentation of data management and coding decisions.
  • Ensure compliance with data security standards and VA data access requirements.
• Contribute to Research Development
  • Assist with research design, empirical strategy development, and study implementation.
  • Evaluate data availability and analytical feasibility for current and future projects.
  • Participate in the development of innovative research questions in health economics and public policy.
• Translate Research into Actionable Insights
  • Interpret findings and discuss policy implications with research collaborators.
  • Prepare tables, visualizations, written summaries, and research materials.
  • Present research progress and findings to faculty and project teams.
  • Incorporate feedback into ongoing analyses and publications.
• Collaborate and Grow Professionally
  • Work directly with faculty mentors who are actively engaged in leading research programs.
  • Participate in research seminars and academic discussions.
  • Develop skills that support future doctoral study and research careers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Economics or a related quantitative field.
• Two years of research, data analysis, or related experience.
• Equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience will be considered.

Requirements

• Strong quantitative reasoning and analytical problem solving.
• Ability to write clear, reproducible code, interpret econometric results, and communicate findings orally and in writing.
• Attention to detail, organization, and sound judgment when handling sensitive health information.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaborate closely with faculty across institutions.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive data with discretion and sound judgment.
• Capacity to work independently while collaborating effectively within a research team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training in applied econometrics.
• Experience working with large administrative or healthcare datasets.
• Proficiency in R, Stata, Python, or related statistical programming languages.
• Familiarity with SQL.
• Interest in pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being.

Application Instructions

• Submit a single PDF file to [email protected] with the subject line: "PreDoc Application: Lastname_Firstname".
• Include a cover letter with preferred start and end dates, prior research experience, and programming familiarity.
• Names and email addresses of two references.
• A current CV.
• Unofficial transcripts.
• An original research paper, if available.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning November 15, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $52,477.00 to USD $79,504.00.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.