Duke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Be You.
At Duke University, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that strengthen our world-class research community.
This position will support faculty-led research projects in climate and resource economics. The Pre-Doctoral Research Associate will contribute to theoretical and empirical research related to economics of urban climate adaptation and the economics of seafood consumption. The role involves literature review, research design, data collection and management, econometric analysis, and support for manuscript preparation. The position offers close mentorship from faculty and opportunities for collaborative research.
Be Bold.
Step into a role where curiosity, analytical thinking, and innovation drive real-world impact.
What You'll Do:
The Research Technician will contribute to multiple faculty-led projects, including:
Crowding-out effects between public and private climate adaptation investment.
Local political economy of urban climate resilience.
Seafood consumption and health.
The primary duties of this position include:
Conduct literature reviews and summarize academic research to support hypothesis formation and project development; (20%)
Conduct data collection, cleaning, and management using large-scale administrative, and geospatial datasets; assist in integrating multiple data sources; (30%)
Perform descriptive and econometric analyses for causal inference using software such as R, Python, or Stata; (30%)
Assist in preparation of research outputs, including figures, tables, reports, and academic manuscripts; support replication and documentation of results. (10%)
Provide general research support, including project coordination with collaborators, data documentation, and other tasks as assigned. (10%)
Term:
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) term-limited position from August 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 (10 months), with the possibility of extension contingent on funding and work authorization
What You'll Bring:
Work requires no experience beyond the educational requirement. Preferred experience would be 0–2 years (Research Technician II) of relevant research experience, including experience as a research assistant or in academic research settings.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Skills
Strong quantitative skills, including training in econometrics, statistics, and data science.
Proficiency in statistical programming (e.g., R, Python, Stata)
Experience working with large datasets and conducting empirical analysis
Familiarity with core theories and current research frontiers in environmental economics
Ability to read and synthesize academic literature
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research team
Preferred Qualifications (if applicable).
Prior research experience related to environmental economics
Interest in pursuing a PhD in economics, environmental economics, public policy, political science, or related fields
Projected Start Date: August 1, 2026
Work location: Durham, NC
Choose Duke.
Duke University offers a dynamic research environment with mentorship, collaboration, and a culture of innovation and belonging.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply now and contribute to impactful research.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $19.06 to USD $28.85. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
