Research Economist

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The Development Research Group (DECRG) is the World Bank's principal research department and a global leader in development economics. Within DECRG, the Trade and International Integration Unit (DECTI) investigates how global trade, globalization, and economic integration shape growth, productivity, and poverty reduction. We also develop databases and analytic tools to analyze the impact of policy reforms.

A current core priority for DECTI is to understand trade fragmentation and its consequences, particularly in an era of rising geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade patterns. Research areas include:

• The impact of trade policy changes, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers on firms, workers, and economies.
• The role of global value chains (GVCs) in driving productivity and economic resilience.
• The effects of trade on labor markets, inequality, and gender outcomes.
• The interaction between trade, investment, and industrial policies.
• The development of high-frequency trade and firm-level datasets to improve policy analysis.

A key focus of DECTI is understanding trade integration and its implications for development and economic growth. To advance this research agenda, DECTI seeks an economist with a strong publication record in international trade, development, and/or applied economic analysis. The position provides an opportunity to contribute to frontier research on global trade policy, engage with policymakers and operational teams, and shape discussions on trade and development in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Roles and Responsibilities:

The selected economist will:

1. Conduct Original Academic Research and Produce Scholarly Contributions on Trade and Globalization:

• Lead empirical and/or theoretical research, particularly on issues relevant to the current core priority of understanding trade policy distortions, product and firm-level trade responses, industrial policies, and trade-induced labor market effects.
• Publish research in highly ranked peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Develop and apply quantitative research methods, including structural modeling, econometrics, and policy simulations, to assess trade and globalization trends and policies.
• Engage in research collaborations with academic institutions and scholars worldwide, including in developing countries.
• Present findings in academic conferences, and research and policy forums in and outside the World Bank.

2. Engage in Policy-Oriented Analysis and Data Work:

• Work with high-frequency, firm-level, and services trade data to assess economic developments and policy impacts.
• Develop policy-relevant indicators and databases on trade flows, market integration, and economic resilience.
• Engage with World Bank operational teams and policymakers to translate research insights into evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Produce policy briefs, technical reports, and contributions to flagship publications that disseminate research findings to non-academic audiences.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Engagement:

• Collaborate with global research institutions, think-tanks in developing countries, development partners, and policy organizations.
• Lead and contribute to seminars, workshops, and training programs within the World Bank and externally.
• Mentor junior economists and contribute to DECTI’s broader research initiatives.