Institution: MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy (FutureTech group), Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, MA
Term: Two years preferred; one year minimum
Start date: Flexible, between October 2026 and July 2027
Application deadline: None — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled (at which point this posting will be removed)
We are looking for one or more highly skilled and motivated individuals interested in the economics of artificial intelligence to join us as Predoctoral Fellows / Technical Associates at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy (IDE). The chosen candidates will work under the supervision of Omeed Maghzian and Neil Thompson at MIT FutureTech, and with co-authors and collaborators at other institutions (including LSE and Stanford). The length of the position is two years, though we will consider candidates able to commit to a minimum of one year. Applications are rolling and will be processed in the order in which they are received.
The job will entail close collaboration with the research team at all stages of the research process — data acquisition and construction, measurement, empirical design, estimation, and writing — on new and ongoing empirical projects on the economics of AI. A central focus of the position is work with large-scale administrative microdata, including restricted-use records on firm cash flows and employment. The projects ask how AI is being adopted by businesses, which tasks and workers it displaces or complements, how it is reshaping firm productivity and market structure, and what this implies for the future path of technological change across countries.
This position offers the opportunity to gain exposure to and training in a broad set of research topics and empirical methodologies before pursuing a PhD in economics, public policy, computer science, or a related field. The chosen candidates will gain valuable experience assembling and analyzing large and unique datasets, working in secure research computing environments, and building the pipelines and code infrastructure that support work at that scale, and will be encouraged to take full advantage of the resources and intellectual environment available at MIT. They will also have the chance to engage with other researchers at the intersection of economics and AI through weekly seminars and lab meetings.
This position is ideal for recent college graduates, as well as current college and master's students, who are planning to apply to PhD programs in economics, public policy, or computer science.
The ideal candidate will:
1. Have completed a four-year undergraduate degree and/or a master's degree in economics, computer science, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or a related quantitative field by the start of the appointment;
2. Have a strong quantitative background, including exposure to econometrics and to proof-based mathematics;
3. Have exceptional programming skills, especially in Python and R;
4. Have demonstrated experience working with large datasets — cleaning, merging, and validating messy data at scale, and reasoning carefully about what the data can and cannot measure;
5. Be able to work independently, structure open-ended problems, and communicate results clearly in writing and in conversation;
6. Have a clear interest in the economics of AI, technological change, productivity, or a closely related area;
7. Have demonstrated critical thinking in the use and integration of large language models in their own workflow — knowing where these tools add value, where they do not, and how to verify what they produce.
Familiarity with machine learning methods, with natural language processing, or with the use of large language models as research tools is welcome, as several projects make extensive use of these techniques.
Work authorization. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States for the duration of the appointment.
If you are interested, please apply via the Economics Focus EOI form. Please submit the following documents:
1. A one-page cover letter, briefly describing:
• your interest in the position and your career goals;
• the earliest date you are able to start work, and the length of commitment you can make;
• your familiarity with Python, R, or other statistical programming languages, and with using agentic AI for coding in them;
• your prior experience as a research assistant and with independent research;
• confirmation that you are authorized to work in the United States, as described above.
2. A resume or CV
3. A transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
4. A writing sample — any research paper or term paper that you enjoyed working on
5. (Optional) The names and contact information of academic references
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be processed in the order in which they are received; we encourage you to apply early.
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MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds and identities.
MIT FutureTech is an interdisciplinary group of economists, computer scientists, and engineers who study the foundations and economic implications of progress in computing and Artificial Intelligence. We aim to identify and understand the trends in computing that create opportunities or risks and help leaders in computing, scientific funding bodies, and government to respond appropriately.
MIT FutureTech
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