Metcalf Summer 2023 Research Assistant, Health Externalities & Animal Production - Eyal Frank
This internship is part of the University’s Jeff Metcalf Internship Program. Please review to learn more about benefits and program requirements for Metcalf interns.
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About Your Organization
Research project led by Prof. Eyal Frank, Harris School of Public Policy.
Job Title: Research assistant
Work Location: Remote or Harris School of Public Policy. The research assistant will have a weekly meeting with one of the researchers — either remotely or at the Harris School of Public Policy, as convenient.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The work consists of preparing data for an economic analysis of the health externalities from U.S. industrial animal production. The research assistant will work on one of two options — depending on the progress of the project by the time of their start date and on their preference:
- The analysis uses variations in rainfall intensity as exogenous mechanisms that induce different pollutant exposures in populations located downstream from farms. We have obtained pdfs of the water permits delivered from states to these farms. The research assistant will work on digitizing and extracting relevant data contained in these documents (notably the location of ‘sprayfields’ on which manure is spread). If time permits, the research assistant will start the economic analysis using these data.
- One of the main outcomes of interest is the rise in antimicrobial resistant infections in humans. The research assistant will continue a literature review on the usage of antibiotics in animal farming (as proxied for example by the volumes of sales) across time and space, process some related data, and produce summary figures and descriptive statistics.
Proposed start and end dates: anytime between June 1 - September 1.
Requirements
The applicant needs to possess solid R programming skills.
Required Materials
The applicant needs to provide (i) a resume, and (ii) a short description of their experience with the R programming software.
Expiration Date
April 30st