Research Fellowship in State and Local Economic Policy
The State & Local Governance Initiative at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University is seeking a postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team of policy-oriented academic researchers. The Hoover Institution is a preeminent center of public policy research located at Stanford University. Its fellows are focused on scholarship grounded in the ideals of peace, individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited government.
Current hiring is focused on the 2025-2026 academic job market, with anticipated start date during summer 2026. A first download of applications will occur on Monday, December 1st for primary consideration. Subsequent applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Our team of economists studies a wide range of policy-relevant topics, including public finance (tax policy and public pensions), economic development (regulations, workforce training, and incentives programs), infrastructure (physical and social), and energy and electricity markets. We offer a unique opportunity to collaborate with Stanford University and Hoover Institution scholars and to publish unique empirical research. The team’s research production model is based on data-sharing partnerships with state and local government agencies. These partnerships enable us to access administrative data that are not publicly available and to publish novel research with rigorous, evidence-based policy recommendations. This model leads to research that is publishable in high-quality journals and ensures that the evidence-based policy recommendations are as accurate as possible.
Three unique resources frame this opportunity:
- Research Fellows are able to draw on the experience of outstanding Senior Fellows, Research Fellows and scholars at the Hoover Institution and Stanford University.
- The Hoover Library and Archives affords fellows access to the richest private archive collections in the United States. With nearly one million volumes and more than six thousand archival collections from 171 countries, the Hoover Library and Archives is a national and international center for primary-source documentation and research on problems of political, economic, and social change.
- Access to Stanford University resources such as the University library, Stanford Data Farm, Graduate School of Business Research Hub, and other supporting clusters and research tools.
Core Responsibilities:
- Research: Undertake independent, policy-relevant academic research on state and local economic policies. with a focus on areas such as labor economics, public finance, economic development, fiscal policy, or energy policy. Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis using economic models and data analysis tools. Use these analyses to evaluate the impact of various economic policies at the state and local levels.
- Publication and Communication: Author or co-author academic papers, policy briefs, and public essays. Present research findings at conferences, public events, to policymakers, and to the public.
- Collaboration: Collaborate on research with other members of the State and Local Governance Initiative and participate in group activities and workshops at Hoover and around Stanford.
- Mentorship: Contribute to the academic growth of your peers and the team’s cadre of highly-qualified predoctoral research assistants.
Requirements:
- A Ph.D. in Economics, Finance, or Accounting by the start date.
- A high degree of proficiency in quantitative research methodologies and data analysis software such as STATA, R, Python, etc.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research in academic journals and to present research findings to a variety of audiences, including policymakers and the public.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, often fast-paced, environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep interest in state and local economic policy, a commitment to rigorous analysis, and a passion for contributing to meaningful policy changes. This is a full-time, in-person, one-year position with the potential for renewal. The workspace is the Stanford University campus.
The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 to $110,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
To apply, please submit:
- A curriculum vitae
- A cover letter
- A job market paper
- A brief statement (500 words) on your research interests in state and local policy, what attracts you to conducting research at the Hoover Institution, and examples of scholars or research that has influenced your thinking.
Completed applications must be submitted online, https://hoover.smapply.us/prog/sl-resfellowship
Please direct questions to Michael D. Farren, Assistant Director and Policy Fellow, farren@stanford.edu.
About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution:
Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I. The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history. Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges.
The State and Local Governance Initiative at the Hoover Institution conducts rigorous research to inform state and local government policy. Led by Senior Fellow Joshua D. Rauh, the initiative partners with government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to conduct analysis, generate actionable policy recommendations, and produce top-tier academic publications.
The Hoover Institution is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Research Fellowship in State and Local Economic Policy
Research Fellowship in State and Local Economic Policy
The State & Local Governance Initiative at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University is seeking a postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team of policy-oriented academic researchers. The Hoover Institution is a preeminent center of public policy research located at Stanford University. Its fellows are focused on scholarship grounded in the ideals of peace, individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited government.
Current hiring is focused on the 2025-2026 academic job market, with anticipated start date during summer 2026. A first download of applications will occur on Monday, December 1st for primary consideration. Subsequent applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Our team of economists studies a wide range of policy-relevant topics, including public finance (tax policy and public pensions), economic development (regulations, workforce training, and incentives programs), infrastructure (physical and social), and energy and electricity markets. We offer a unique opportunity to collaborate with Stanford University and Hoover Institution scholars and to publish unique empirical research. The team’s research production model is based on data-sharing partnerships with state and local government agencies. These partnerships enable us to access administrative data that are not publicly available and to publish novel research with rigorous, evidence-based policy recommendations. This model leads to research that is publishable in high-quality journals and ensures that the evidence-based policy recommendations are as accurate as possible.
Three unique resources frame this opportunity:
- Research Fellows are able to draw on the experience of outstanding Senior Fellows, Research Fellows and scholars at the Hoover Institution and Stanford University.
- The Hoover Library and Archives affords fellows access to the richest private archive collections in the United States. With nearly one million volumes and more than six thousand archival collections from 171 countries, the Hoover Library and Archives is a national and international center for primary-source documentation and research on problems of political, economic, and social change.
- Access to Stanford University resources such as the University library, Stanford Data Farm, Graduate School of Business Research Hub, and other supporting clusters and research tools.
Core Responsibilities:
- Research: Undertake independent, policy-relevant academic research on state and local economic policies. with a focus on areas such as labor economics, public finance, economic development, fiscal policy, or energy policy. Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis using economic models and data analysis tools. Use these analyses to evaluate the impact of various economic policies at the state and local levels.
- Publication and Communication: Author or co-author academic papers, policy briefs, and public essays. Present research findings at conferences, public events, to policymakers, and to the public.
- Collaboration: Collaborate on research with other members of the State and Local Governance Initiative and participate in group activities and workshops at Hoover and around Stanford.
- Mentorship: Contribute to the academic growth of your peers and the team’s cadre of highly-qualified predoctoral research assistants.
Requirements:
- A Ph.D. in Economics, Finance, or Accounting by the start date.
- A high degree of proficiency in quantitative research methodologies and data analysis software such as STATA, R, Python, etc.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research in academic journals and to present research findings to a variety of audiences, including policymakers and the public.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, often fast-paced, environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep interest in state and local economic policy, a commitment to rigorous analysis, and a passion for contributing to meaningful policy changes. This is a full-time, in-person, one-year position with the potential for renewal. The workspace is the Stanford University campus.
The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 to $110,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
To apply, please submit:
- A curriculum vitae
- A cover letter
- A job market paper
- A brief statement (500 words) on your research interests in state and local policy, what attracts you to conducting research at the Hoover Institution, and examples of scholars or research that has influenced your thinking.
Completed applications must be submitted online, https://hoover.smapply.us/prog/sl-resfellowship
Please direct questions to Michael D. Farren, Assistant Director and Policy Fellow, farren@stanford.edu.
About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution:
Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I. The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history. Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges.
The State and Local Governance Initiative at the Hoover Institution conducts rigorous research to inform state and local government policy. Led by Senior Fellow Joshua D. Rauh, the initiative partners with government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to conduct analysis, generate actionable policy recommendations, and produce top-tier academic publications.
The Hoover Institution is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.