Application deadline: July 17, 2026
EDC Graduate Research Analyst Position – Economic & Political Intelligence Centre (Fall 2026)
About EDC: At Export Development Canada (EDC), we empower Canadian businesses to succeed globally. As a Financial Crown corporation, we offer innovative financial solutions and expert insights to help businesses explore new markets, mitigate risks, and achieve growth.
Why Join EDC?
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Collaborate with a diverse, experienced team
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Thrive in a supportive, teamwork-driven environment.
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Impact global communities through sustainable growth in emerging markets.
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Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, Best Diversity Employers, and a Top 100 Family-Friendly Employers.
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Enjoy a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including benefits, vacation, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.
Student and New Grad Opportunities
Our student and new grad opportunities include internships and co-op programs, all designed to give your career a strong start. Work terms begin at four months in length and may be extended for an additional four months or more, depending on business needs. While most roles are full-time, there is flexibility for part-time work.
Our program is ideal for early career professionals who are new grads that have completed their courses within the past year, as well as students in their current program of study. Work terms in our program can be counted towards an accredited co-op program with your university or college.
Our Ideal Student or New Grad:
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Currently enrolled or recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program (eligible for up to one year after completion of studies).
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Available for 8 months or more - While roles will be available for 4-month terms, preference will be given to candidates with availability that extends.
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Previous work term experience related to their field of study
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Strong verbal and written communication skills
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Motivated self-starter, good organizational and analytical skills
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Ability to work independently and within a team
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Enthusiasm to tackle any task, whether menial or complex
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Knowledge of both official languages is an asset and may be required for certain positions
Overview
The Economic and Political Intelligence Centre (EPIC) at Export Development Canada (EDC) is seeking a highly motivated Master’s or PhD student to join our team for a research project focused on Canada’s integrative trade and productivity – including analysis of Canada’s goods exports, services exports, Canadian direct investment abroad (CDIA), trade enabling infrastructure and foreign direct investment (FDI) as it related to economic growth and productivity.
EPIC is EDC’s in-house research function, bringing together economists, researchers, and quantitative analysts to produce timely analysis on issues shaping Canada’s trade performance and global competitiveness. Our work informs both internal decision-making and external thought leadership.
This role is best suited for a candidate who can operate as an independent applied researcher: someone who can take a research question from concept to final output with limited oversight, drawing on guidance from senior economists while managing the project end-to-end.
About the project:
The selected candidate will contribute to a research project examining integrative trade and Canada’s economic engagement and productivity. Depending on the candidate’s profile and the evolution of the work, the project may focus on one or more of the following areas:
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Canada’s goods export performance
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Canada’s services trade and services export growth
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Canadian direct investment abroad (CDIA)
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Foreign direct investment (FDI) and its relationship to trade, competitiveness, productivity and productive capacity
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Trade enabling infrastructure and how it aids diversification and moving up global value chains for Canadian companies
The project will require not only strong empirical skills, but also the ability to connect data and econometric findings to broader economic questions related to trade diversification, international competitiveness, value creation, and growth.
Ability to work with firm-level data and/or deep understanding global trade datasets will be essential for the role.
What you will be doing:
Note: This position reports directly to the Manager of Economic Research & Impact
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Lead an independent research project from start to finish, with guidance from senior economists and research leaders
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Help refine the research question, analytical framework, and empirical strategy
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Conduct targeted literature reviews on integrative trade, trade-investment linkages, services trade, goods exports, CDIA, FDI, and related macroeconomic topics
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Identify, source, clean, merge, and validate data from Canadian and international statistical sources such as Statistics Canada, OECD, UNCTAD, WTO, IMF, World Bank, and other relevant databases
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Build and manage a clean analytical dataset suitable for descriptive and econometric analysis
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Design and execute econometric models appropriate to the research question
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Interpret results in a way that is economically meaningful, relevant, and clearly communicated
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Prepare charts, tables, written analysis, and presentations to support internal discussions and final deliverables
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Produce a well-structured final report that clearly sets out the motivation, methodology, findings, and implications of the work
Core requirements:
- Currently enrolled in, or recently completed, a Master’s or PhD in Economics, International Economics, Public Policy, Finance, or a closely related field
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Demonstrated understanding of international trade and investment concepts, particularly in areas related to:
- goods exports
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services exports
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foreign direct investment (FDI)
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Canadian direct investment abroad (CDIA)
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Trade-enabling infrastructure
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trade competitiveness, productivity, or global value chains
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Prior academic, thesis, or applied research experience on integrative trade or closely related topics is required
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Strong ability to work independently with minimal support, while incorporating guidance at key stages
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Proven experience managing a research project from start to finish, including:
- research design
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data collection and cleaning
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empirical analysis
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econometric modelling
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interpretation of results
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drafting of final written outputs
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Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with econometric methods
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Strong command of at least one statistical or analytical programming tool such as Stata, R, Python, or equivalent
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Advanced ability to work with data in Excel, including organizing, cleaning, structuring, and presenting data clearly
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Strong writing skills, with the ability to communicate technical findings in a clear, concise, and accessible manner
What will make you stand out:
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Direct experience working with Canadian or international datasets related to trade, services, FDI, CDIA, productivity, or macroeconomic performance
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Ability to move beyond technical execution and clearly answer the “so what?” of the analysis
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Demonstrated interest in questions related to Canada’s trade diversification, growth, and productive capacity
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Experience producing publication-quality research outputs, briefs, or thesis-level written work
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Strong data visualization skills and ability to translate empirical findings into compelling charts, exhibits, and presentations
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Bilingualism in English and French is an asset
Compensation Details:
Student, New Grad & Master’s salaries range from $42,900 to $56,550 annually, based on year of study. Please see the salary breakdown by year of study below:
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1st Year: $42,900 ($22.00/hour)
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2nd Year: $44,850 ($23.00/hour)
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3rd Year: $46,800 ($24.00/hour)
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4th Year and Beyond: $48,750 ($25.00/hour)
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New Graduate (Undergraduate): $54,600 ($28.00/hour)
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Master’s/PhD: $56,550 ($29.00/hour)
Location
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Export Development Canada operates in a hybrid work environment, with a current requirement of two in-office days per week, increasing to three days per week in September 2026 (subject to change).
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This role will be performed from EDC’s community hub in Toronto or Ottawa.
What can you expect from an EDC work term? Building cross-functional networks of colleagues, identifying and following through on opportunities for improvement and innovation, learning and growing constantly through coaching and mentoring, working in a high-performing, fast-paced and flexible environment facilitated by technologies based out of our stunning downtown Ottawa headquarters.
Student Program Eligibility
EDC is committed to Fair Employment Practices and preference will be given to a candidate who is able to work legally in Canada at the time of application (Canadien Citizen, Permanent Residents or Work Permit). Candidates must meet the requisite government security screening requirements. The position is open to those who meet all of the essential requirements stated above and whose applications are received by the closing date.
This position is open to individuals who meet all the essential criteria outlined above and submit their applications by the closing date. Ready to make a difference? This is your chance to join a dynamic, growing team and leave your mark on our organization, development finance, and the world.
Apply today!
Want to learn more about EDC? Check our website here https://www.edc.ca
EDC's Commitment to Employment Equity
Export Development Canada (EDC) is dedicated to fostering employment equity and building a diverse workforce. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment that respects people from all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. At EDC, we nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging where everyone has equal opportunity to grow, develop, succeed, and be their truest selves.
We actively encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the requirements. We thank all applicants' interest in a career at EDC; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that qualified candidates may be considered for similar roles at this level within EDC.
EDC recognizes that disclosing the need for accommodations can be a personal matter. Please know that as an organization, we are committed to maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that any accommodations provided are tailored to support your needs. Our aim is to ensure you have a comfortable and positive experience throughout the recruitment process, so please do not hesitate to contact us directly for any accommodation requests at [email protected]. We are here to support you every step of the way.
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