Applied Economist / Data Science Research Analyst

The Weldon Cooper Center (CEPS) seeks an Applied Economist / Data Science Research Analyst with strong quantitative, programming, and data management skills to support applied policy work in regional economics, economic forecasting, and public-sector research. The position will also support the use of modern data science and AI-assisted methods to organize, classify, and extract information from large collections of documents and unstructured data for use in databases and economic modeling. The position is intended for an early-career professional who is interested in applying data science and economic analysis to real-world policy questions and who can grow into greater analytical independence over time.

We encourage recent graduates or early-career professionals with strong technical skills and demonstrated interest in applied economic or policy analysis to apply.

Responsibilities

* Support the development and maintenance of data pipelines, including data collection, automated data processing, and web scraping where appropriate.

* Clean, structure, validate, and integrate large and complex datasets from multiple sources.

• Use programming, AI-assisted tools, and natural language processing approaches, where appropriate, to help organize, classify, and extract information from large collections of documents and unstructured data.

* Conduct exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, data validation checks, and preliminary diagnostics.

* Support applied economic modeling, including input-output analysis, regional economic analysis, local tax analysis, forecasting, and related quantitative methods.

* Prepare data visualizations, tables, maps, dashboards, and summary outputs to support reports and presentations.

* Contribute to internal databases, analytical tools, documentation, and reproducible workflows.

* Draft sections of reports, memos, and presentations and communicate findings clearly to academic, non-academic, and policy-relevant audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, data science, public policy, statistics, computer science, or a related field required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with web scraping, APIs, or automated data collection.
• Experience using AI-assisted tools, natural language processing, large language models, or related methods to process, classify, summarize, or structure text-based information.
• Experience working with large collections of documents, public records, regulatory filings, reports, or other unstructured data sources.
• Familiarity with tools such as IMPLAN, EViews, REMI, or similar.
• Experience with GIS tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar.
• Experience building data tools, dashboards, or visualization products.
• Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, Shiny, Dash, or similar visualization platforms.
• Interest or experience in regional economic, energy or environmental policy is a plus.
• Experience contributing to policy reports, academic research, technical documentation, or public-facing analytical products.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong programming skills with Python, R, or a similar language.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted workflows, natural language processing, large language models, or related tools for organizing and analyzing structured and unstructured data.
• Experience with data cleaning, transformation, validation, and documentation.
• Ability to conduct exploratory and descriptive data analysis.
• Interest in applied economic methods, including input-output analysis, regional analysis, econometrics, or forecasting.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to translate technical results into clear, policy-relevant insights.
• Proficiency in Excel for data handling, validation, and review.
• Ability to write clear, structured, and well-documented code.
• Willingness to learn new methods, software, and project-specific tools under guidance.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary Range

• The anticipated hiring range is $60,000 - $80,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.

• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline

Application must be received by August 21, 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
  

How to Apply

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0085962. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive consideration.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

• For questions about the position, please contact Joao Pedro Ferreira, brn3wh@virginia.edu.
• For questions about the application process, please contact Melanie Sponaugle, unw5dq@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.