ECON Undergraduates Blog

Career Opportunity for Graduating Seniors in Economics

Posted: 23 Feb 2018 12:10 PM PST

Entry Level Career Opportunity for Economics Graduates

GRA, Incorporated
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

GRA, Incorporated is currently accepting applications for an entry-level research analyst position. GRA is one of the nation's most experienced and well-respected transportation-focused economic consulting firms, with a practice that primarily involves aviation projects. Founded in 1972, GRA serves international and domestic clients in both the public and private sectors.

Projects at GRA extend to nearly all economic aspects of the aviation and aerospace industries. Because GRA is a small firm, our research analysts are engaged in a wider variety of projects and work areas than is typical for most entry level professional positions. GRA research analysts work closely with the firm's principals and senior staff, which provides them with a unique breadth and depth of professional experience. GRA encourages – and relies upon -- an energetic, cooperative and collegial work environment.

Some of GRA's recent and past assignments have involved

Developing benefit cost and risk analysis methodologies and analyses for new federal regulations and investments, for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA);
Crafting cost analysis tools and databases for the FAA, based on detailed flight track records of daily flight activity in U.S. radar-controlled airspace;
Supporting FAA analysis and oversight of airport revenues and capital investments as authorized for the nation's network of commercial and general aviation airports;
Providing data support to the FAA's daily monitoring of the National Airspace System;
Conducting airport-related research sponsored by the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the transportation program office of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine;
Quantifying the economic benefits of aviation safety and efficiency improvements in developing countries;
Advising airlines on operational and financial matters such as fleet and route planning, cash flow forecasting, airport relations and competitive network analysis;
Providing business case and strategic analysis for airports seeking new airline routes;
Conducting analyses of the economic and transportation impacts of airports on the well-being of the communities they serve;
Contributing to NASA's aeronautics research and development activities by analyzing the economic context and rationale for NASA research and innovations.

To contribute to GRA's range of assignments and client support, the successful research analyst will need both verbal and quantitative skills. Our requirements for the research analyst include a capacity to think analytically, an ability to communicate clearly and concisely, and a demonstrated familiarity with quantitative methods and software tools commonly used to conduct and present quantitative analyses. Successful candidates typically have an interest in pursuing graduate work in economics, and GRA is supportive of the career and educational aspirations of its staff.

GRA offers an excellent compensation and benefits package that compares very favorably to packages offered by other leading consulting and professional organizations. Research analysts often plan to pursue graduate work in economics or other fields, and GRA is supportive of the career and educational aspirations of its staff.

GRA's original Pennsylvania office is located in a relaxed setting in the near northern suburbs of Philadelphia. This Jenkintown office is a short walk from a regional rail hub station, which provides easy and direct access to Temple University, Center City Philadelphia, Amtrak's 30th Street Station, the University of Pennsylvania campus, and Philadelphia International Airport. Some GRA staff have chosen to reside in Philadelphia's Center City or University City (which surrounds the campuses of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University) and "reverse commute" to our suburban Jenkintown office.

GRA's Washington-area office is in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. This office is steps from the King Street Metro station located approximately 15 minutes from downtown Washington, DC. We may fill this position at either office, depending on the needs of the firm and the successful applicant.

We encourage successful, highly motivated seniors who are graduating in Economics or related fields and who would like to begin their careers with a position in a fascinating and challenging industry to consider applying to GRA, Incorporated, for this position. Please provide an introductory letter explaining your interest in GRA, a CV or resume, recent academic transcript (copies are fine), recent examples of your analytic work in economics (such as recent papers on economic topics, preferably written by you alone), and contact information for three references to David Ballard at bdballard@gra-inc.com or by surface mail to the address below.

We look forward to hearing from interested applicants.

David Ballard
Senior Economist
GRA, Incorporated
115 West Avenue, Suite 201
Jenkintown, PA 19046
ATTN: Recruiting

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