Full-time Postdoctoral Associate

The Stanford Digital Economy Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Associate. The position will have a priority project led by Professor Erik Brynjolfsson and the opportunity to work with other faculty and PIs at Stanford. This position’s priority project will drive cutting-edge research at the intersection of economics and transformative AI, contributing to an ambitious initiative to reimagine economic theory and metrics for an AI-powered future.

The Stanford Digital Economy Lab (DEL) is exploring and developing the economic theories, metrics, and policies needed to guide a world powered by transformative AI (TAI). TAI, which is expected to reshape productivity, scientific progress, labor markets, and wealth distribution, presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Our goal is to ensure TAI-driven economic growth results in widely shared prosperity and human flourishing.

This effort will draw upon DEL’s existing research on AI, digital transformation, and economic measurement to pioneer a forward-looking economic model for the TAI-powered future. We are assembling a world-class team to investigate critical questions around productivity, labor, value creation, and governance in the age of TAI.

The ideal candidate will work closely with DEL faculty, researchers, and staff to develop insights, theories, and quantitative tools that address key economic questions in a TAI-enabled world, including those related to distribution, concentration, inequality, information flows, geopolitics and trade, AI safety and alignment, well-being, and a host of other important topics.

Our research projects balance rigor and relevance, aiming to produce papers for top academic journals while contributing insights that may inform policy and practice.

We’re seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with extensive experience in economic theory, quantitative modeling, and technology-driven economic analysis. The ideal candidate will bring:

1. Strong Foundation in Economic Theory: Ability to apply economic models to analyze the impacts of Transformative AI and advanced technologies on productivity, labor markets, and economic structures.
2. Quantitative and Computational Skills: Proficiency in computational tools and data analysis (e.g., Python, R, agent-based modeling) for developing economic simulations and analyzing large datasets.
3. Research and Publication Record: Demonstrated success in conducting independent research, with a record of peer-reviewed publications or working papers in relevant fields.
4. Communication and Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written English language skills to facilitate engagement with a multidisciplinary team and high-level stakeholders, including academics and industry executives. Experience in organizing and participating in workshops and conferences is a plus.
5. PhD: A PhD in Economics, Computer Science, or a related field, with the Doctorate conferred before the start date.

Application deadline
Rolling, with a closing date of January 31, 2025. Strong preference will be given to early applicants.

Application instructions
To apply, please complete the application form, which includes a CV, cover letter, the names and email addresses of three references (optional), and key papers demonstrating your research agenda.

Salary
$85,000-$88,000

About the Stanford Digital Economy Lab: 
We bring together an interdisciplinary group of passionate researchers to study how digital technologies transform work, organizations, and the economy. Our insights are helping companies, policymakers, students, and professionals rise to the challenges and opportunities created by digitization. The Lab is part of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) and co-sponsored by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR).

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. 

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.