Research Fellow, Empirical Law

• NOTE: This position has been deemed critical/has specific funding, has been approved by the Law School for posting, and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

Commitment:

Full-time, starting Summer 2026. Some applicants available to start earlier will also be considered. Fellowships last for one year, with the opportunity to renew for a second year based on performance and mutual agreement of the professor and fellow.

Description:

Robert Bartlett, the W.A. Franke Professor of Law and Business at Stanford Law School and Professor Finance (by courtesy) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, is recruiting a full-time research fellow to work on a set of projects related to venture capital finance, corporate governance, securities regulation and disclosure, and/or equity market structure. The fellowship is aimed at recent undergraduate students who are considering entering a graduate degree program (Ph.D. / JD) in the near future. The research fellow will be part of a vibrant community of scholars at Stanford Law School, which includes over a dozen predocs working with other members of the Stanford Law community. This is a minimum one-year position, with the option of renewal based on performance and mutual agreement. The position will commence in the Summer of 2026, and the fellow will be expected to be physically present in and working from Stanford Law School during the term of the fellowship.

Participation in this fellowship opportunity allows you to take and audit Stanford courses and attend on-campus lectures and seminars free of charge. In addition, incumbents in this fellowship will be eligible to take one course per quarter, not to exceed a maximum of 5 units (for which departments will pay a discounted fee), with approval from your faculty supervisor.

Duties include:

• With general instruction provided by the faculty supervisor, participate in the planning and performing/conducting research tasks by:

• Conceptualizing suitable empirical methodologies and models

• Collecting, managing, and structuring quantitative datasets
• Conducting statistical analyses of complex datasets and interpreting results
• Report writing and manuscript preparation
• Participate and assist with planning empirical projects.
• Implement regression and other statistical models using Stata, R, SAS or similar statistical programming languages.
• Participate in the development and administration of surveys using validated variables and questions.
• Conduct targeted search on recent scholarship about particular research as assigned.
• Potential communication with high-level officials, industry stakeholders, and research collaborators
• Assist with development, communication and design of research findings to internal and external audiences in the form of report writing and manuscript preparation
• May formulate nationwide randomized controlled trials, and create novel datasets on research related to policy issues

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant quantitative field (E.g., economics, finance, business, data science, statistics, or a related field).

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Outstanding academic credentials and intellectual creativity
• Eagerness to take initiative and solve intricate problems
• Experience with statistical analyses
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Exceptional research and analytical writing skills
• Programming experience and substantial programming experience in Stata, R, SAS or similar statistical programming languages
• Prior experience with machine learning and natural language processing is a plus.

Application Instructions: To be considered, please submit the following items along with your online application:

• Statement of interest (including a summary of relevant prior experience)
• CV
• Transcript
• Sample programming code
• Contact information for at least two references, preferably one able to speak to academic research skills

The deadline for the first round is 12pm PST on Monday, February 2, 2026. The deadline for the second round is 12pm PST on Monday, March 2, 2026. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and preference will be given to first-round applicants.

The expected pay range for this position is $33.02 to $39.22 per hour.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic

protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability that requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.