Research Economist (PhD Internship) at Nclusion – Palo Alto, California

About Nclusion
Nclusion is on a mission to provide traditional financial services to 1.4 billion people worldwide without access today. Without a secure way to save, invest, or transfer money, individuals are not empowered to accumulate short or long-term wealth. We're changing that by bridging the gap between traditional banking and the communities that need it most.
About the Role
In a Research Economist Internship, you will lead applied research efforts that inform product strategy, operational execution, and market expansion, helping shape how Nclusion delivers financial infrastructure to underserved and emerging markets.
This role is part independent research leadership, part advanced data analysis, and part cross-functional partnership, working closely with the Chief Economist and collaborating with Product, Operations, and Data teams in the U.S. and abroad.
This is a 3-month paid internship, part- or full-time for up to 40 hours a week; and is not limited to a specific season.
What You’ll Do

• Lead applied microeconomic research – Analyze customer behavior, market structure, supply dynamics, and product performance using large administrative and transactional datasets.

• Design and execute causal studies – Apply experimental and quasi-experimental methods to understand consumer behavior, evaluate product features, operational changes, and market entry decisions.

• Drive insight to action – Produce accessible research reports and presentations that translate empirical findings into clear recommendations for stakeholders and management.

• Support internal research capacity - Use your research expertise to support Nclusion’s capacity to design and conduct actionable empirical analysis that leverage both administrative and primary data sources.

What You Bring to the Table

• PhD in Economics or a related quantitative field – With strong research experience in applied microeconomics and experimental and quasi-experimental methods for causal inference.

• Analytical leadership – A demonstrated ability to independently scope, execute, and communicate rigorous empirical research.

• Technical expertise – Proficiency in Stata, R, or Python; experience with SQL and large-scale datasets; demonstrated commitment to research transparency and reproducibility standards.

• Domain depth – Training and experience in behavioral economics and development economics with strong interest in fintech or financial inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrollment in at least the 3rd year of a PhD program in Economics or related field
• Experience leading end-to-end applied research projects involving primary data collection
• Hands-on experience designing experiments and managing fieldwork with complex teams
• French or Spanish language proficiency is highly preferred, but not mandatory

CompensationThe base pay range for this role is $55 – $65 per hour.