Description

Description:  Inforum provides economic modeling, forecasting, and policy analysis for a wide variety of stakeholders.  Inforum was founded in 1967 to explore economic phenomena and principles in a nonpartisan fashion, according to generally accepted economic theory and econometric methods, regardless of the implications for public policy or private strategy.  Inforum is known for its proficiency with economic data and methodologies, particularly for macroeconomic and industry-level data and analysis, input-output techniques, global data sets, international trade studies, and modeling software.  Inforum economists build on decades of experience and solid reputation in the economic modeling community.  Its location in College Park, Maryland, allows regular engagement with other economists, policy makers, and organizations in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

Inforum seeks a full-time, experienced mid-career to senior economist with superior technical and quantitative skills, economic modeling experience, and high proficiencies in writing, research, communication, and organization.  This role involves working directly with Inforum leaders and encompasses the full range of initiatives including data analysis, economic modeling, policy analysis, and engagement with research sponsors and study partners.  The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of applied economic analysis.  The position requires at least a bachelor’s degree with strong economics background and two or more years of work experience, ideally with additional training in economic modeling software and analysis, though a Master’s degree or PhD is preferred.  Responsibilities include data development and analysis; operation of economic models; and application of other techniques to conduct research and write reports.  Additional responsibilities include development and maintenance of Inforum’s economic models; assisting with writing project proposals; support of research sponsors; training of junior staff; and helping with various other tasks and responsibilities.  Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask with minimal supervision are essential.  

Requirements

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of Inforum’s economic data and modeling and analytical platforms.
• Using Inforum and third-party database, statistical, and modeling software, perform data development, economic analyses, and modeling to support completion of special projects and routine services.  Support development of semi-annual Inforum economic outlooks.
• Combine processes, techniques, and methodologies from various fields to perform wide-ranging analyses and modeling at macroeconomic, industry, regional, and other levels.
• Perform background research on a variety of topics to support economic modeling and analysis, with findings summarized and effectively disseminated in reports, presentations, and by other means.
• Integrate data from various sources as required.  Develop extensive knowledge of national accounting and other data, and with ability to employ available data to illuminate a wide variety of matters and to convincingly answer difficult questions.  
• Develop models, algorithms, and metrics to facilitate data interpretation.  Work with Inforum staff, sponsors, and others to develop and interpret data to achieve accessible insights, using economic data to improve understanding of the overall economy and its many components.
• Monitor and stay abreast of economic developments and news.  Apply in-depth, professional knowledge to independently solve a full range of complex problems.
• Work with others to design and complete applied economic research, write reports, deliver presentations, and support research sponsors.
• Assist in business development, including writing project proposals and developing relationships with research sponsors.
• Assist in training and leading interns and junior staff members.
• Qualifications

Required

• Candidate must demonstrate interest in economic analysis and research, particularly using economic modeling for policy analysis and informing business decisions.
• A degree in economics, public policy, or a related discipline.
• A bachelor’s degree and at least two years of work experience minimum; a PhD or master’s degree and at least one year of work experience or a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of work experience preferred.
• Experience with conducting research using economic models such as GTAP, Oxford, REMI, Implan, or similar modeling tools.
• Significant familiarity with U.S. national accounts and related economic data, particularly macroeconomic, industry, and other data from key agencies including BEA, BLS, and Census, as well as other providers of U.S. statistics such as EIA and the Federal Reserve.
• Experience with analytical tools and languages such as Stata, SAS, R, or Python.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other common software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.  A strong understanding of statistical methods and data science techniques.
• An ambitious outlook, problem-solving skills, comfort with working both independently and with a team, and readiness to learn new skills as projects demand.
• Flexibility while responding to the daily needs of a small organization.  The ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Preferred

• Proficiency with mapping tools and geospatial analysis and visualization 
• Knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau, ArcGIS, or QGIS
• General programming proficiency, for example with C++, Matlab, MySQL, or a variety of other tools, techniques, and languages.