Senior Economist, Windfall Research

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Take charge of the methodology and execution of one or more of Windfall's premier research offerings: an updated version of the Policy Atlas, a Preparedness Index, a Scenarios Lab, or a Scenarios Report.

• Develop and justify cross-country index methodologies, encompassing indicator selection, standardization, weighting, and uncertainty considerations.

• Convert narrative AI scenarios into quantifiable economic metrics and collaborate with modeling partners to integrate them into household microdata, yielding distributional and fiscal outcomes.

• Examine labor market resilience: identifying which occupations and workers are vulnerable, analyzing historical transitions, and determining the factors that influence whether economies adapt to or exacerbate technological disruptions.

• Evaluate the resilience of fiscal and welfare systems across countries with varying income levels, including the performance of safety nets, tax structures, and transfer systems during prolonged labor market disruptions.

• Estimate and assess potential policy responses for each scenario, ranging from reforms in social insurance to transfer programs and capital taxation.

• Write and co-write publications for Windfall. Represent Windfall's research externally through peer reviews by academic economists, engagement with government analysts and international organizations, and participation in discussions with high-level policy stakeholders.

• Establish standards for rigor, reproducibility, and documentation throughout Windfall's quantitative research, ensuring that every published figure is verifiable and defensible.

⛳️ Requirements

• An advanced degree in economics or a closely related discipline, complemented by over 8 years of practical experience in economic research or policy analysis; while a PhD is advantageous, it can be substituted with a remarkable applied track record.

• Proven senior-level experience in at least two of the following areas: labor economics, development economics, public finance, or social protection and welfare policy.

• A record of publications or public analyses where your methodology has endured external evaluation, such as peer review, official scoring or costing, government approval, or similar scrutiny.

• Background in working with countries at different income levels or within international institutions is a significant plus.

• Familiarity with the AI and labor literature (including occupational exposure indices, augmentation versus automation discussions, and evidence of adoption) is a valuable asset, though can be acquired swiftly by the right candidate.

• Experience in presenting technical findings to senior non-technical audiences, including ministers, boards, funders, or the media.

• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, remote, international team environment, demonstrating the self-direction required and a willingness to travel internationally.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary package.

• Flexible working hours and remote work opportunities.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Engaging work culture with a focus on innovation and collaboration.