Professor Nathan Wilmers is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to collaborate on sociological research on labor market inequality.  Candidates should have an interest in how firms, organizations and labor market institutions affect inequality.  The position will support a mix of the candidate’s own solo research alongside collaborative, coauthored work with Prof. Wilmers.  During the course of the appointment, there are possible data access opportunities, dependent on various eligibility requirements, to the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics data, the Economic Census microdata, Glassdoor reviews, employer-matched PSID data, and Burning Glass job postings.  This is a two-year position with the possibility of remote work within the US (constrained only by some data access restrictions).  The position will be focused entirely on research, with no teaching obligations. 

There is substantial scope to design research projects that fit both the candidate’s and Prof. Wilmers’ research agendas.  Currently, Wilmers has projects studying how social relations within organizations affect inequality; structural barriers to upward mobility within organizations; drivers of recently rising pay for low-wage jobs; changing employment practices in response to tight labor markets; and effects of union democracy and contention within American labor unions.  More broadly, Wilmers aims to use ideas from economic sociology to clarify the social foundations for rising and falling inequality. 

This position will be housed in the MIT Sloan School of Management’s Work and Organizations group.  The position duration is two years with a start date of July 1, 2024 or as soon thereafter as possible.  Candidates must possess, or be close to completion of, a Ph.D. in one of a variety of fields, including but not limited to Sociology, Organizations, Strategy, Management, Economics or Political Science at the start of employment.

Candidates must possess, or be close to completion of, a Ph.D. in one of a variety of fields, including but not limited to Sociology, Organizations, Strategy, Management, Economics or Political Science at the start of employment.

Please submit applications providing a cover letter, CV, research statement, and one or two papers that indicate your research focus and capabilities. Applications received by November 1, 2023 will be given highest priority.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT?s full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found here.

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Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.

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