Work with Penn State finance faculty members and advanced doctoral students on cutting-edge research projects in the areas of finance and economics. Recent topics of interest include:
- Examining how the market structure of commercial banking affects the transmission of monetary policy to the economy
- Predicting corporate finance outcomes using large language models such as ChatGPT
- Understanding why creditors form coalitions in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and why this matters for bankruptcy outcomes
- Assessing how firms attempt to rebuild their reputations after facing devastating cyberattacks
- Showing that firms' pollution and environmental investment decisions depend on the political party affiliation of their local member of Congress.
Five to ten projects are typically underway at any given point in time. Individual project assignments will be determined based on faculty needs and student interests.
This is an unpaid research opportunity. The minimum time commitment is one semester.
Undergraduate research assistants typically work 5-10 hours per week. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) hypothesis generation, data collection and analysis, mathematical modeling, computer programming (mostly using Python and math/statistics programs such as MATLAB, SAS, or Stata), applied statistical analysis, and writing. Responsibilities tend to be project-specific: one project might involve data collection, another might involve mathematical modeling, and another might involve statistical analysis. Students may be placed on one project or may assist with multiple projects simultaneously.
Required qualifications:
- Basic knowledge of calculus, statistical analysis, and probability theory
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, and Powerpoint)
- Unusually high degree of maturity and responsibility
- Outstanding communications skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Outstanding time management skills
- Strong commitment to ethical behavior
Preferred qualifications:
- Prior exposure to economics or finance
- Prior mathematical modeling experience
- Prior experience with regressions and other forms of statistical analysis
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Dr. Stefan Lewellen (lewellen@psu.edu). In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this position, how your prior background and coursework have prepared you for the position, and how you believe this position will help you in the future.