The Reserve Bank of Australia is recruiting accomplished and motivated PhD economists for full-time Researcher and Senior Researcher roles in its Research Department in Sydney. Successful candidates will conduct independent, policy-relevant research, enhance the Bank macroeconomic and financial models, and brief decision makers on issues that shape monetary policy, financial stability, and Australia long-run prosperity. These are hands-on research positions with access to world-class administrative microdata, modern computing resources, and an active community of scholars who publish, present, and collaborate across academia and policy institutions.
Snapshot summary table
Field |
Details |
|---|---|
Hiring institution |
Reserve Bank of Australia |
Roles |
Researcher, Senior Researcher |
Location |
Sydney, Australia |
Start |
2026 intake |
Contract |
Fixed-term, full-time |
Visa |
Sponsorship available for successful international candidates |
Who should apply |
PhD economists, nearing completion or completed by mid 2026 |
Application deadline |
Friday, 14 November 2025 |
Official site |
Why these roles matter
The RBA is Australia central bank. Its research underpins decisions on inflation control, employment, financial stability, market functioning, and payment systems. Research staff test ideas with high quality data, quantify policy trade-offs, and propose rigorous model improvements that support the policy framework for a small open economy. Joining the team means combining academic excellence with real policy impact.
What you will do
Core responsibilities
- Design and deliver self-directed, policy-relevant projects that align with the Bank research agenda.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of macroeconomic and financial models used for forecasting, scenario analysis, and policy simulation.
- Provide analytical input for internal notes and briefings that inform monetary policy and financial stability assessments.
- Work with large administrative microdata sets on workers and firms, as well as linked survey and market datasets.
- Collaborate with internal economists and external researchers, present findings at seminars and conferences, and publish in high quality outlets.
- Support the Bank broader objectives through clear communication of complex concepts to non-specialist audiences.
Illustrative research themes
- Monetary policy transmission in a small open economy, including heterogeneous agent and distributional channels.
- Drivers of inflation dynamics, wage formation, and expectations.
- Macro-financial linkages, credit conditions, and stress testing approaches.
- Labour market reallocation, productivity, firm dynamics, and business investment.
- International spillovers, exchange rate pass-through, and terms-of-trade shocks.
- Model evaluation, nowcasting, and data-rich empirical methods for policy.
Ideal candidate profile
Qualifications and expertise
- PhD in Economics, completed or near completion by mid 2026. Postdoctoral or policy institution experience is welcome.
- Strong technical skills in empirical and or structural methods, such as time series econometrics, microeconometrics, DSGE, HANK, and quantitative macrofinance.
- Proven ability to identify tractable research questions, execute clean identification or disciplined calibration, and communicate results clearly.
Desirable focus areas
- Monetary policy design and transmission.
- DSGE or HANK modelling for open economies.
- Macro-financial stability and macroprudential policy.
- International macroeconomics and finance.
- Labour market dynamics and microdata applications.
- Data science methods applied to policy.
Professional attributes
- Clear written and verbal communication for technical and policy audiences.
- Strong coding discipline and data stewardship.
- Collaborative mindset with the initiative to lead projects from idea to publication.
Tools and data you will use
- Access to large administrative microdata on workers and firms, as well as market and survey datasets.
- Modern computing infrastructure and version-controlled research workflows.
- Standard research languages and toolchains for empirical and structural work.
Employment terms and culture
- Fixed-term, full-time appointments with salaries commensurate with experience and responsibilities.
- Visa sponsorship for successful international candidates.
- Support for professional development, including conference participation, seminar series, visiting scholars, and collaborations.
- A research culture that values curiosity, replication standards, transparency, and practical relevance.
- A workplace committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessible recruitment. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQ+ communities.
How to apply
Prepare the following materials and submit by Friday, 14 November 2025.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Cover letter outlining research fit, policy interests, and start availability.
- Non-technical summary of the job market or principal paper.
- Job market paper.
- Three confidential letters of reference.
What success looks like in your first year
- A well scoped research project that progresses to seminar or conference presentation.
- A concrete contribution to core policy models, such as an improved shock propagation module, a new heterogeneity block, or an empirical mapping that refines calibration targets.
- Clear, policy-relevant briefings delivered on time to internal stakeholders.
- Active participation in the Bank research community and outreach with external scholars.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need prior policy institution experience?
No. It is helpful, but strong PhD work with policy relevance is the key criterion.
Are these roles suitable for candidates finishing the PhD in 2026?
Yes, provided the PhD is completed or near completion by mid 2026 and you can commence in the 2026 intake.
What modelling approaches are most valued?
Both empirical and structural. Skills that improve forecasting performance, scenario analysis, identification of transmission channels, or measurement of uncertainty are especially valued.
Is there support for publishing and conference travel?
Yes. The RBA supports presentations at leading seminars and conferences, subject to internal approvals.
Will I work only on my own paper?
No. You will balance independent research with collaboration on Bank models and policy notes.
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