Senior Research Associate, Economic Data & Analytics

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Research Associate will work closely with research managers and other researchers on the data-intensive components of applied economic research projects. The role requires experience in econometric analysis and forecasting; strong knowledge of economic and demographic data sources; and hands-on experience moving data from acquisition through extraction, cleaning, integration, validation, analysis, and documentation. The ideal candidate combines economic judgment with technical skill, can identify when data are not comparable or fit for purpose, and can translate complex evidence into accurate, client-ready findings while managing priorities across multiple project teams.

Key Responsibilities

Economic Data, Analysis & Forecasting

· Design and conduct regional, industry, labor-market, demographic, housing, and fiscal analyses; develop economic forecasts; and perform economic impact analyses using econometric, time-series, input-output, and other methods as appropriate.

· Conduct data-intensive work for applied economic research projects, from identifying appropriate public and proprietary sources through extraction, cleaning, integration, validation, analysis, and documentation.

· Manage and analyze complex economic datasets spanning demographic, labor-market and workforce, business and industry, housing and real estate, and spatial or parcel-level data.

· Build reproducible analytical workflows in Stata, R, Python, SQL, EViews, or comparable tools, with clear quality controls and documentation.

· Translate complex data and methods into accurate tables, visualizations, reports, presentations, and actionable findings for technical and non-technical audiences.

Project Execution & Quality Control

· Provide analytical guidance to junior research staff, including assigning and reviewing research tasks, troubleshooting data and methodological issues, and providing constructive feedback.

· Conduct quality-control reviews of datasets, code, models, methodologies, and deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility.

Project Development

· Collaborate with research managers to scope data needs, assess feasibility, and develop appropriate analytical approaches.

· Contribute to proposals and develop reusable datasets, scripts, and research resources.

Qualifications & Skills

Education

· Master's degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field with substantial economics training (required).

· Advanced graduate training in econometrics, statistics, data science, or a related quantitative field is preferred but not required.

Experience

· Four or more years of applied economic research, forecasting, or economic data analysis experience in consulting, government, academia, or industry.

· Demonstrated hands-on experience independently managing large or complex datasets drawn from multiple public and proprietary economic sources.

· Demonstrated ability to manage competing analytical priorities and produce accurate, client-ready reports, presentations, and data products.

Economic Data Expertise

· Demonstrated hands-on experience working across multiple economic-data domains, including demographic and household, labor-market and workforce, business and regional economy, housing and real estate, and spatial or administrative data. Relevant sources may include Census/ACS/PUMS, BLS, BEA, LEHD/LODES, HUD/HMDA, CoStar, Lightcast, Data Axle, and state or local administrative records.

· Ability to work with raw data, microdata, and data from multiple sources, and to evaluate definitions, coverage, comparability, revisions, sampling error, margins of error, and other limitations.

Technical Skills

· Strong grounding in econometrics and experience developing, testing, validating, and interpreting forecasting or econometric models, including appropriate model diagnostics and sensitivity testing.

· Advanced proficiency in EViews or comparable statistical or econometric software, such as Stata, R, or Python, for data management, automation, econometric analysis, and forecasting.

· Strong Excel skills and experience retrieving data through APIs, SQL or other database-query tools, and structured file formats.

· Understanding of economic time series, geographic levels, industry and occupation classification systems, inflation adjustments, seasonal adjustment, data revisions, and disclosure or suppression issues.

· Ability to create clear data visualizations and client-ready presentations.

Professional Skills

· Exceptional attention to detail and a disciplined approach to data quality, documentation, and reproducibility.

· Strong analytical judgment and problem-solving ability, including the ability to diagnose data issues rather than accept outputs at face value.

· Clear, accessible writing and communication skills, strong organization, and the ability to adapt across projects and audiences.

· Exceptional teamwork and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with research managers, peers, and junior staff.

Preferred Experience

· Prior experience in an economic consulting or similarly fast-paced, multi-project environment.

· Experience with spatial data or GIS, recurring data products, or interactive dashboards.

Familiarity with version control, shared code repositories, and collaborative data-development prac

\nCompany Description

Beacon Economics, LLC is an independent research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and objectively-based economic analysis that enables its clients to make informed decisions about investment, growth, revenue, and policy. The company is certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with the state of California.

Founded in 2006, Beacon Economics entered the spotlight as one of the earliest and most adamant forecasters of the subprime mortgage market meltdown – and as one of a handful of organizations to stand against the tide and correctly calculate the depth and breadth of the global financial and economic crisis that followed.

The accurateness of its economic forecasting has helped establish Beacon as one of California’s most reputable economic research firms. The company’s specialized practice areas include: Community and Economic Development; Housing, Land Use and Real Estate Advisory; Economic and Revenue Forecasting; Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impact Analysis; Litigation Support and Expert Testimony; Regional and Sub-Regional Analysis; and Public Policy Analysis.

Unlike other consulting groups in this sphere, many of which are directed by MBAs or urban and city planners, Beacon Economics is led by, and works with, PhD and Master’s level economists. The academic training and credentials of its experts set the firm apart and are at the root of its commitment to objectivity and analytic excellence.

Leveraging unique proprietary models, vast databases, proven methodologies, and sophisticated data processing, Beacon Economics’ work is used by a diverse array of private and public sector clients including major cities and counties across the western United States, Wall Street hedge funds, banks and credit unions, the creative industries, public utilities, real estate developers and investors, leading sports franchises, and major entertainment events and venues.

Company Description

Beacon Economics, LLC is an independent research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and objectively-based economic analysis that enables its clients to make informed decisions about investment, growth, revenue, and policy. The company is certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with the state of California.\r\n\r\nFounded in 2006, Beacon Economics entered the spotlight as one of the earliest and most adamant forecasters of the subprime mortgage market meltdown – and as one of a handful of organizations to stand against the tide and correctly calculate the depth and breadth of the global financial and economic crisis that followed.\r\n\r\nThe accurateness of its economic forecasting has helped establish Beacon as one of California’s most reputable economic research firms. The company’s specialized practice areas include: Community and Economic Development; Housing, Land Use and Real Estate Advisory; Economic and Revenue Forecasting; Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impact Analysis; Litigation Support and Expert Testimony; Regional and Sub-Regional Analysis; and Public Policy Analysis.\r\n\r\nUnlike other consulting groups in this sphere, many of which are directed by MBAs or urban and city planners, Beacon Economics is led by, and works with, PhD and Master’s level economists. The academic training and credentials of its experts set the firm apart and are at the root of its commitment to objectivity and analytic excellence.\r\n\r\nLeveraging unique proprietary models, vast databases, proven methodologies, and sophisticated data processing, Beacon Economics’ work is used by a diverse array of private and public sector clients including major cities and counties across the western United States, Wall Street hedge funds, banks and credit unions, the creative industries, public utilities, real estate developers and investors, leading sports franchises, and major entertainment events and venues.