Federal Reserve Board Research Assistant Program

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System hires a new cohort of Research Assistants (RAs) each year to gain real-world experience working alongside PhD economists on original economic research and providing critical support for policy analysis. The RA position is a two-year program, after which most RAs pursue graduate degrees, often in economics, or various careers at the Board or other organizations. RAs participate in diverse projects, including collaborations with government agencies and Federal Reserve Banks, economic and financial literacy instruction for high school students, and attend academic seminars by Board economists and visiting scholars.

Entry-level RAs apply standard statistical techniques and knowledge of micro/macroeconomic theory to assist in reporting, research, modeling, forecasting, database maintenance, and regulatory casework. Responsibilities include developing ad hoc programs, preparing and verifying data for charts/tables in Board briefings, policy implementation, testimony, and publications; monitoring subjects, drafting memoranda, literature searches, and handling data requests from the public and agencies.