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Behavioral Economics Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$53K - $73K/yr

PhD or MD PhD/MD with research focused on clinical, behavioral, or affective neuroscience; behavioral economics; computational neuroscience; and/or a related discipline. Hands-on experience with ...

Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$53K - $73K/yr

Candidates must have (or nearing completion of) a PhD degree in neuroscience, clinical or social psychology, behavioral economics, computational neuroscience or a related discipline. Computer and ...

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Behavioral Economics Phd information

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$33K

$107.6K

$149.5K

How much do behavioral economics phd jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 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, and why are they important?

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:
Pre-doctoral Researcher - Technical Associate (Lawrence Schmidt, Taha Choukhmane)

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


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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 2023, though we are open to 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.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have (i) completed a 4-year undergraduate degree and/or Master's degree in Economics or related fields (for instance, the position may be of interest to those with a background in Statistics, Computer Science, or Engineering) from a top ranked college or university; (ii) have a very strong quantitative background; (iii) have 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); (iv) be able 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, 2023, 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).
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(s) which you have written, along with a summary of the outputs it generates (logs/graphs) in a single document

We will be accepting and reviewing applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT's full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found here.
Background Check Policy
Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.

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