Research Assistant (Economics & Finance)

Sapiente Education is headquartered in Dubai, UAE. This is a fully remote role, open to applicants internationally. We particularly welcome candidates based in the UK or US who are studying at, or have recently graduated from, a leading university. Candidates elsewhere with a strong academic profile are also welcome to apply.

You should be available for student sessions across time zones and able to maintain some agreed overlap with Dubai working hours (UTC+4) for team coordination.

Our story

Sapiente Education helps ambitious young people aged 13–23 turn curiosity into original research, guided by our faculty of mentors from Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, MIT and other leading institutions.

Inspired by the Oxbridge tutorial tradition, our personalised programmes span 30+ subjects including AI, medicine, philosophy and business. Students develop meaningful projects, sharpen their thinking and build confidence in their own ideas.

Discover Sapiente Education

About the role

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support the delivery of our Economics & Finance programmes.

Working alongside a senior mentor, you will help students develop structured research projects and analytical essays. You will guide them through research design, data analysis, argument development and academic writing, providing feedback that helps them strengthen their own work and independent thinking.

Key responsibilities

• Support students in developing research projects in economics and finance.
• Assist with topic development, research design and literature reviews.
• Guide data interpretation, case study analysis and analytical thinking.
• Review written work and provide structured, detailed feedback.
• Suggest improvements in argumentation, clarity and academic rigour.
• Help students build logical, evidence-based arguments and use sources appropriately.
• Monitor progress and coordinate with the senior mentor to keep projects on track.

Required

• Currently studying for a master's degree or PhD, or recently completed a postgraduate degree, in Economics, Finance or a related field.
• Working knowledge of statistical tools such as Stata, R or Python.
• An understanding of econometric concepts, including regression analysis and hypothesis testing.
• Ability to work with structured datasets using tools such as Microsoft Excel or SQL.
• Familiarity with macroeconomic, survey or financial data.
• A sound understanding of economic and financial concepts, including markets, incentives, risk and return.
• Experience in academic writing and structured argumentation.
• Clear written and spoken English, with the ability to explain unfamiliar concepts to students.
• Professionalism, attention to detail and reliable communication.
• A reliable computer, stable internet connection and a quiet environment for online sessions.

Preferred

• Based in the UK or US and currently studying at, or recently graduated from, a leading university.
• Experience supporting academic research, publications, teaching or student mentoring.

What we offer

• Opportunities to contribute as a co-author to research publications, subject to a substantive contribution, prior agreement with the original authors and the relevant journal's authorship requirements.
• Opportunities to attend private Sapiente Education events, subject to invitation and availability. Examples include gatherings at the Embassy of Italy in London and the Italian Parliament, and VIP gala dinners.
• Remote, part-time contract work, with availability agreed around student sessions and team coordination.
• Collaboration with senior academic mentors and an international team.
• The opportunity to help students develop original research and strengthen their analytical skills.
• Clear responsibility for your assigned work, with scope to improve research support and feedback practices.
• Potential for an ongoing contract, based on performance, consistency and programme needs.

How to apply

Email an updated CV and a brief description of your profile to [email protected].

Email subject: Application - Research Assistant (Economics & Finance)

Please include your university, degree and current stage of study or graduation date; your country and time zone; relevant research, publication or mentoring experience; and your weekly availability, including any overlap with Dubai working hours.