1

Behavioral Economics Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... PhD in economics or equivalent PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - 2+ years of industry, consulting ... behavioral economics, designing and administering large-scale social science survey - Knowledge of ...

Master's degree or PhD in Human Computer Interaction, Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field * Subject matter expertise in advanced investing or trading, such ...

PhD in Behavioral Science, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Economics, or a closely related field Preferred Qualifications * Domain expertise in behavioral ...

PhD in Behavioral Science, Industrial‑Organizational Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Economics, or a closely related field. Preferred Qualifications * Domain expertise in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Behavioral Economics Phd information

See salary details

$33K

$107.6K

$149.5K

How much do behavioral economics phd jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for behavioral economics phd in the United States is $107,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Behavioral Economics Phd vs Behavioral Data Analyst?

AspectBehavioral Economics PhdBehavioral Data Analyst
Required CredentialsDoctorate in Economics or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Economics, or related field
Work EnvironmentAcademic, research institutions, think tanks, or consulting firmsCorporate, marketing, or tech companies analyzing data sets
Employer & Industry UsageResearch-focused roles in academia, government, or consultingData-driven decision making in business sectors
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding advanced research roles and qualificationsAnalyzing data and applying behavioral insights in practical settings

The main difference between a Behavioral Economics Phd and a Behavioral Data Analyst lies in their qualifications and work focus. The Phd typically involves advanced research and academic roles, while the Data Analyst applies behavioral insights through data analysis in business environments. Both roles require analytical skills but differ in educational background and job responsibilities.

What is a behavioral economics PhD?

A Behavioral Economics PhD is a doctoral degree focused on the study of how psychological, emotional, and social factors influence economic decision-making. This program combines traditional economic theory with insights from psychology to better understand real-world human behavior in markets and other economic settings. Graduates are trained to conduct research, analyze data, and develop models that explain why individuals sometimes make irrational financial choices. The degree prepares individuals for careers in academia, public policy, consulting, and private industry.

What types of projects or research collaborations can a behavioral economics PhD expect to participate in within an academic or industry setting?

As a Behavioral Economics PhD, you'll often work on interdisciplinary projects that combine insights from psychology, economics, and data science. In academia, this might involve designing and conducting experiments to understand decision-making behaviors or collaborating with other departments on grant-funded research. In industry, you could contribute to product design, policy evaluation, or consumer behavior analysis, often working closely with teams in marketing, data analytics, or public policy. These collaborations offer valuable opportunities to apply behavioral theories to real-world challenges and to develop both research and practical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a behavioral economics PhD?

To thrive as a Behavioral Economics PhD, you need a deep understanding of economic theory, psychological principles, and advanced quantitative research methods, typically supported by a doctoral degree in behavioral economics or a related field. Proficiency in statistical software (such as R, Stata, or Python), experimental design platforms, and data analysis tools is essential. Exceptional critical thinking, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills help distinguish top professionals in this area. These competencies are crucial for designing rigorous research, analyzing complex data, and translating insights into actionable strategies for policy or business contexts.
More about Behavioral Economics Phd jobs
What cities are hiring for Behavioral Economics Phd jobs? Cities with the most Behavioral Economics Phd job openings:
What states have the most Behavioral Economics Phd jobs? States with the most job openings for Behavioral Economics Phd jobs include:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Economics Phd job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,594 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Pre-doctoral Researcher - Technical Associate (Lawrence Schmidt, Taha Choukhmane) 2025/2026

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$50K - $63K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Massachusetts Institute Of Technology rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 616 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Description
Professors Lawrence Schmidt and Taha Choukhmane are looking for one or more highly skilled and motivated individuals to work as our full-time research assistant for a period of at least one year, ideally two. The appointment will start ideally in June or July 2026, though we are open to earlier and later start dates as well. The job will entail close collaboration at all stages of the research process on new and ongoing empirical projects which utilize large, rich microeconomic datasets to address questions in the fields of asset pricing, household and consumer finance, behavioral economics, macroeconomics, and micro-econometrics. This position offers the opportunity to gain exposure to and training in a broad set of economic research topics and statistical methodologies before pursuing a PhD in economics or finance. The chosen candidate will also gain valuable experience analyzing large and unique datasets (including restricted-use government administrative records on individual incomes and firm operating activity, textual analysis of patents, and proprietary company data), and working with programs such as Stata, R, Python, and GIS. The chosen candidate will also make connections with faculty at several other institutions involved in the research projects, and will have the opportunity to take courses and attend seminars at MIT.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
  • Collect, clean, and manage large-scale microeconomic datasets, including restricted-use government administrative records on individual incomes and firm operating activity, proprietary company data, and patent textual data
  • Develop and maintain data processing pipelines using Stata, R, Python, and GIS software
  • Write, test, and debug complex code for data manipulation, merging datasets from multiple sources, and creating analysis-ready files
  • Document all data processing steps and maintain organized file systems for research projects
  • Conduct econometric and statistical analyses on large-scale datasets to address research questions in asset pricing, household finance, behavioral economics, and macroeconomics
  • Generate tables, figures, and visualizations of empirical findings
  • Interpret preliminary results and identify patterns in data that warrant further investigation
  • Conduct literature reviews to identify relevant academic papers and synthesize findings
  • Prepare detailed technical memos documenting methodologies, results, and recommendations
  • Participate in regular research meetings with Professors Schmidt and Choukhmane to discuss project progress, results, and next steps
  • Coordinate with faculty at other institutions involved in collaborative projects

Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Economics or related field (the position may be of interest to those with a background in Statistics, Computer Science, or Engineering), Master's degree preferred; minimum 2 years' specialized experience with qualitative data analysis and/or research methods, social sciences (which may include experience gained as an undergraduate.; exceptional programming skills and experience, especially in Stata, R, or Python (experience with a low level language such as C or Fortran is also a plus but not a requirement for the position); ability to work independently to solve problems. The position is ideal for students who are planning to pursue a PhD or advanced Master's program in Economics, Finance or a related field. Visa sponsoring will not be available for this position. Candidates should have authorization to work in the US for the duration of the appointment. Please also indicate in your cover letter whether or not, as of June 30, 2026, you will have been a resident in the US for at least 3 years (this is a requirement for working with Census restricted-use data). The pay range for Technical Associate I is $50,000-$63,000.
Application Instructions
Application Instructions
If you are interested, please provide the following documents:
  • A one page cover letter briefly describing your academic career and future study goals.
  • A CV
  • A transcript
  • A writing sample. This could be any research paper or term paper that you think best reflects your abilities
  • A sample of code which you have written

NOTE:
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates should have authorization to work in the US for the duration of the appointment.

What Massachusetts Institute Of Technology employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom