Research Economist

Economist Position

As an Economist at the Federal Trade Commission you will perform the following duties:

Apply statistical, mathematical, and econometric techniques to the analysis of data to empirically analyze economic theories and test hypotheses in support of policy recommendations.

Provide analysis and interpretation of economic and related information collected from companies to support policy and program decision-making.

Identify and collect the appropriate data needed to analyze the validity of competing economic theories.

Conduct investigations, reviews, and studies that apply a thorough knowledge of microeconomic theory to study the behavior of individual consumers, firms, and industries in order to analyze how markets establish relative prices among goods and services and thereby allocate limited resources among alternative uses.

Analyze the likely effects on consumers and firm competition of mergers, agreements between firms, and individual firm business practices.

Prepare economic impact assessments under the laws that govern federal rulemaking to ensure adequate considerations of the costs and benefits of proposed rules.

Develop oral and written products, tailored to the needs of the audience, in support of recommendations involving issues such as the economic aspects of new or proposed investigations, policies, or rules affecting FTC programs.

Undertake research aimed at addressing unresolved theoretical or empirical questions in topics related to competition, consumer protection, and general understanding of consumer and firm behavior.

Draft, present, and defend positions for policy, enforcement decisions, and education of other competition and consumer protection agencies.

Lead teams of economists and statisticians conducting complex economic analysis; provide technical guidance and oversight; and ensure the quality and relevance of analytical work in support of enforcement, policy, or regulatory initiatives.