Position Summary:

This position is for a Ph.D. student in economics who is interested in spending three months as a research Fellow at The Conference Board's Economics Department in New York. During this period, the Fellow is expected to work on research topics of his/her choosing — related to the department's research program. The project will be carried out under supervision from at least one of the department's senior staff economics and/or Senior Advisers.

The topic should be related to one of the department's key programs — such as measurement and empirical analysis of productivity, technology and innovation and/or labor market issues. An international comparative perspective for the study is strongly preferred, and the inclusion of one or more emerging market economies is recommended. Both macro and microeconomic projects are acceptable, but a strong empirical element and a potential relevance of the results from a business perspective are important.

Applications will be judged on the basis of how they advance the understanding of the structural underpinning of global economic growth, innovation, or comparative competitive dynamics at the firm level. Proposals with emerging market emphasis will be given special preference. The position is intended for students interested in applying their empirical skills on cutting edge problems rather than the development of new theory.

The Fellowship will extend for three months and comes with a 10,000 US$ stipend to allow for cost of living and other expenses while in New York. The Fellow is expected to deliver at the minimum an (academic) paper for the department's research working paper series and a shorter report, based on the paper that is focused on a business audience. Fellow may be asked to make a presentation to a business audience at the conclusion of the project.

The Robert H. McGuckin III Summer Fellowship was created in 2007 in memory of Robert McGuckin who has served as Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board from 1997 until his untimely death in 2006.

Requirements:

The selection is made by a department committee, including the Chief Economist.