Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026 | $75,632 Salary in the USA

The Cornell Collaboration for International Development Economics Research (CIDER) at Cornell University is inviting applications for its Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship Program, a full-time, post-baccalaureate opportunity for individuals preparing for doctoral study in Economics, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, or related disciplines.

The position is based at Cornell University’s Ithaca Main Campus in New York, USA, and provides fellows with hands-on experience in quantitative research, data analysis, academic research and professional development.

The programme is particularly suitable for graduates who intend to pursue a PhD and want to strengthen their research experience while working closely with Cornell faculty on development economics projects.

About the Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship

The CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship is a full-time, one-year staff position designed to prepare promising researchers for future doctoral studies.

Selected fellows will work closely with Cornell faculty members whose research broadly focuses on development economics. Their work may involve quantitative research, data analysis, research design, data collection and other activities supporting faculty-led research projects.

Depending on project requirements, language abilities and individual interests, fellows may also have opportunities to participate in field research.

The fellowship provides an academically rigorous environment where participants can gain practical research experience while becoming part of Cornell University’s intellectual community.

Cornell expects to recruit multiple fellows who will join a cohort alongside continuing CIDER pre-doctoral fellows.

The appointment may be renewed for up to two years, depending on performance and availability of funding.

About CIDER

The Cornell Collaboration for International Development Economics Research (CIDER) is a cross-campus initiative involving faculty from several Cornell University units, including the SC Johnson College of Business, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy.

CIDER brings together faculty working across international development economics and related areas, including poverty, food insecurity, agricultural and rural development, labor markets, nutrition, resilience and structural transformation.

The initiative emphasizes rigorous applied research designed to generate evidence that can inform public and private decision-makers around the world.

Key Responsibilities

Successful candidates will contribute to a variety of research and academic activities.

Research Support

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting faculty Principal Investigators and research teams in planning, designing and implementing research projects.
• Assisting with research activities and data collection.
• Collecting, cleaning, managing and analyzing secondary data.
• Developing and maintaining research code used to organize and analyze data.
• Supporting the design, implementation, monitoring and updating of research surveys.
• Working with partner organizations involved in research implementation and data collection.
• Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing research findings.
• Assisting with manuscripts, conference presentations and research talks.
• Supporting grant and funding reports, Institutional Review Board submissions and other research documentation.

Administrative Support

Fellows may also:

• Prepare materials and resources for CIDER programmes, events and initiatives.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for virtual and in-person training programmes, workshops and seminars.

Professional Development

The position also provides opportunities for fellows to:

• Participate in research seminar series.
• Engage in Cornell University’s broader intellectual community.
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities.
• Access research-related training through CIDER and other Cornell units.
• Potentially serve as a teaching assistant for a related course by mutual agreement with supervising faculty.

Salary and Benefits

The Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship is a paid full-time position.

The stated salary range is:

$65,447 – $75,632 per year

The actual hiring rate may depend on factors including prior relevant experience, education, applicable skills and academic discipline.

Cornell also lists a range of employee benefits, including:

• Health care options
• Retirement contributions
• Wellness programmes
• Employee discounts
• Vacation and personal leave
• Paid holidays
• Winter break
• Educational benefits
• Tuition-related programmes
• Professional development opportunities

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, public policy, mathematics, statistics or a related field, together with 2 to 4 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Applicants should also have:

• Previous coursework in econometrics and statistics.
• Familiarity with statistical software such as Stata or R.
• Strong knowledge of economics research techniques and/or methods.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent professional verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to seek, coordinate and appropriately disseminate information.
• Experience working directly with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating perspectives from multiple communities.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but are not mandatory:

• A Master’s degree in economics, business, public policy, mathematics, statistics or a related field.
• Relevant research experience, such as a senior thesis.
• Experience with additional data analysis, programming or GIS tools.
• Knowledge of tools such as ArcGIS, Python or SQL.
• Foreign-language proficiency, particularly in French, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil and/or Portuguese.

Visa and Work Location

The position is onsite at Cornell University’s Ithaca Main Campus in New York.

The posting states that individuals with F-1 OPT/STEM OPT can apply. It also states that no other visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly relevant to graduates who:

• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Want to pursue doctoral studies.
• Are interested in development economics or related research fields.
• Have quantitative research and data-analysis skills.
• Have coursework or experience in econometrics and statistics.
• Want to gain experience working with university researchers.
• Are interested in academic research and potentially pursuing a PhD.
• Have an interest in international development research.

Applicants should demonstrate their research interests, relevant quantitative research experience and skills, as well as their interest in pursuing doctoral study.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter explaining their research interests, relevant quantitative research experience and skills, and their interest in pursuing doctoral study.

Cornell indicates that most positions require applicants to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.

Application Deadline

15 October 2026

Applications received by October 15, 2026, will receive full consideration. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered until the positions are filled.

Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official Cornell University careers platform and follow the online submission instructions provided in the job posting.

Contact Information

Contact Name: Melissa Dorward-Bauman

Contact Email: msm298@cornell.edu

Why Consider This Opportunity?

The Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship offers an opportunity for aspiring doctoral researchers to gain substantial practical experience before entering a PhD programme.

Participants can work alongside faculty researchers, contribute to development economics research, strengthen their quantitative research abilities and participate in seminars and professional development activities.

For graduates considering doctoral study in economics, development studies, public policy or related disciplines, the position can provide valuable exposure to the academic research environment and help strengthen their preparation for future PhD applications.

Conclusion

The Cornell CIDER Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026 is an excellent opportunity for qualified graduates seeking to build strong research experience before pursuing doctoral studies.

The full-time position combines hands-on research, quantitative data analysis, academic engagement and professional development at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Successful candidates will work with faculty on development economics research while gaining exposure to the wider intellectual life of one of the world’s leading research universities.

Qualified applicants should prepare a strong resume and cover letter highlighting their research experience, quantitative skills and doctoral ambitions, and submit their applications before the 15 October 2026 full-consideration deadline.

Discover more fellowship opportunities on the OFY Webpage.