--- title: '(2027 PhD/ABD graduates) Senior Associate (Antitrust & Competition Economics) - European Union at Charles River Associates' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/2027-phd-abd-graduates-senior-associate-antitrust-competition-economics-30g8h2rcd084' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-22' --- # (2027 PhD/ABD graduates) Senior Associate (Antitrust & Competition Economics) - European Union at Charles River Associates - **Company:** Charles River Associates - **Location:** Brussels, Belgium / Dusseldorf, Germany / Munich, Germany / Paris, France - **Posted:** 2026-09-17 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-22 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/charlesriverassociates/jobs/8205109 ## Job description ## About Charles River Associates [Charles River Associates](http://www.crai.com/) is a leading global consulting firm that offers economic, financial, and strategic expertise to major law firms, corporations, and governments around the world. Since 1965, CRA experts have combined rigorous cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art methodology, and proven experience to address our clients’ most complex challenges. CRA's [European Competition practice](https://ecp.crai.com/) specialises in providing economic advice on matters of competition policy and regulation. We assist firms and their legal advisors in all types of competition proceedings before competition authorities and courts: mergers and acquisitions, abuse of dominance allegations, cartels, restrictive commercial agreements, market investigations, litigation and disputes, intellectual property or state aid. We also provide advice to regulatory authorities in similar matters. Learn more about our work by reviewing our Services and Industries on our [website](https://www.crai.com/). The [Antitrust & Competition Economics](https://www.crai.com/antitrust-competition-economics-practice/) is hiring for the following European Union offices in Brussels, Belgium; Dusseldorf and Munich, Germany; Paris, France. Position Overview Senior Associates work closely with senior consultants on project teams and will have the opportunity to immediately work on some of the largest, high profile and most significant competition cases in Europe, playing a key role in shaping the economic analysis and thinking of these cases. Successful candidates have a strong knowledge of economic concepts and a range of research and quantitative skills. A typical Senior Associate would: - Identify and conceptualise issues, specifying rigorous economic models to analyse market issues and data, undertaking statistical and econometric estimation, and managing the work of research associate staff and colleagues; - Supervise, train and mentor research associate staff; - Assist in the development and presentation of client deliverables, including expert reports and white papers summarising opinions, conclusions, and recommendations using market, industry or client-proprietary data; - Act as a primary point of contact for lawyers and other industry or government clients on a variety of practice-relevant issues; - Program, build models and/or perform regression analyses in statistical analysis programs (such as Stata, Python, R, SAS, Matlab, and Mathematica), including large data projects requiring use of cloud computing; - Ensure the integrity and accuracy of analyses and opinions; and - Contribute to practice-building activities (training, recruiting, publication, expertise sharing, etc.). Explore how CRA can help you [launch your career](http://www.crai.com/careers/accelerate) and learn [why PhDs choose CRA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJXu817TIZw). Desired Qualifications - PhD degree in economics with a completion date of December 2026/Summer 2027 and an academic focus on Applied Microeconomics or Applied Microeconometrics, with specializations like industrial organization, labor, health, behavioural and public economics, or other quantitative areas; - Experience in Excel, Stata, Python, R, SQL, SAS, ArcGIS/ArcPy, or Cloud computing (Databricks/Spark, Google Cloud, Azure, AWS); - Demonstrated understanding of, and ability to explain, economic, financial and/or accounting concepts, and quantitative and qualitative analysis methods; - Curious and analytical thinkers who bring creative approaches to non-standard problems; - Effective written and oral communication skills; - Eagerness to learn new skills and programming languages; - Demonstrated high level of initiative and leadership; - Strong teamwork and collaboration capabilities; - Excellent time management and task prioritization skills; and - Clear and demonstrated interest in consulting through coursework, work experience, activities, or attendance at CRA recruiting events. As much of our work occurs in our offices, minimal travel is required. To Apply To be considered for a position in Europe, submit through this posting: - Resume/CV – please include current address, email and telephone number; - Covering letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals. Also, please note if you have a location preference; - Research/Job market paper – please submit your original research or dissertation; - Letters of Recommendation – please have three (3) LORs submitted directly to LORSubmission@crai.com. To apply for one of our other global locations, please visit our [Careers Site](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/) to view available jobs. Interviews will begin following application close, with first round interviews occurring virtually. Candidates focusing their search on industry and consulting who need to be considered early should indicate that in the CRA online application and submit all materials as early as possible. Career Growth and Benefits - CRA’s robust [skills development programs](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/talent-development/), including both formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with project management skills, training continues with team management/development, client presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities. - We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a competitive salary and superior benefits package (plus a sizeable performance bonus), [wellness programming](https://www.crai.com/benefits/) to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house [immigration support](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/immigration-global-mobility/) for foreign nationals and international business travelers. Work Location Flexibility CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team. Our Commitment to Diversity Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our focus on equity and inclusion, we work to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment. ## About Charles River Associates ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Charles River Associates (CRA) is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and strategic expertise to major law firms, corporations, accounting firms, and governments worldwide. - **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: CRAI) - **Headquarters**: Boston, Massachusetts, USA - **Founded**: 1965 - **Founders**: Founded by professors from Harvard and MIT ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Management Consulting, Economic Litigation Consulting, Financial Consulting, Strategy Consulting - **Target customers**: Major law firms (98% of the Am Law 100), corporations (88% of the Fortune 100), accounting firms, and governments - **Mission or purpose statement**: To deliver thoughtful, effective advice backed by research and real-world experience, helping clients navigate high-stakes litigation, regulatory proceedings, and critical business strategy issues. ## Products & Services CRA operates through ten distinct practice areas, offering a multidisciplinary approach: - **Antitrust & Competition Economics**: Economic analysis for merger reviews, antitrust litigation, and competition policy. - **Financial Economics**: Valuation, damages analysis, and financial modeling for disputes and transactions. - **International Arbitration**: Expert economic and financial advice in international arbitration proceedings. - **Labor & Employment**: Analysis of employment practices, compensation, and workforce issues. - **Life Sciences**: Strategic and economic consulting for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. - **Energy & Environment**: Economic and regulatory analysis for energy markets, environmental policy, and climate change. - **Forensic Services**: Investigation and analysis of financial fraud, accounting irregularities, and asset tracing. - **Intellectual Property**: Damages analysis and valuation in IP disputes. - **Transfer Pricing**: Economic analysis for intercompany pricing and tax compliance. - **Strategy & Performance**: Corporate strategy, operational improvement, and performance optimization. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: As of July 2025, approximately $1.5 billion (market cap fluctuates; check latest) - **Key Metric**: Revenue growth of 48% over the past five years (as reported on CRA's essential facts page) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Clients include 88% of the Fortune 100 and 98% of the Am Law 100. The firm is publicly traded, so major institutional investors hold shares. - **Growth Signals**: Over 1,000 consultants across 20+ offices worldwide; staff from more than 70 countries; over 35 languages spoken; ranked as a top consulting firm by Vault and Management Consulted. ## Competitive Advantages - **Academic Heritage**: Founded by Harvard and MIT professors, CRA maintains a culture of rigorous analysis and intellectual curiosity. - **Expertise Depth**: Over 82% of senior staff hold advanced degrees, with more than 35% holding PhDs in economics, finance, and related fields. - **High-Stakes Client Base**: Serves 98% of the Am Law 100 and 88% of the Fortune 100, indicating a trusted reputation for complex, high-profile matters. - **Multidisciplinary Approach**: Ten practice areas allow for cross-disciplinary collaboration, providing comprehensive solutions to client challenges. - **Objectivity and Integrity**: Known for fact-based, defensible analysis that withstands scrutiny in litigation and regulatory settings. ## Strategic Focus - **Talent Development**: Heavy investment in training and professional development, including CRA Tech Labs (internal skill-building sessions) and formal mentorship programs. - **Global Expansion**: Continued growth across 20+ offices worldwide, with a focus on attracting diverse talent from over 70 countries. - **Practice Area Innovation**: Developing new capabilities at the intersection of economics, finance, and technology to address emerging client needs (e.g., climate, digital markets, life sciences). - **Community and Inclusion**: Emphasis on pro bono work, volunteer programs, and Employee Resource Groups to foster an inclusive culture. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as intellectually curious, collegial, and academically rigorous. The firm emphasizes learning, resourcefulness, and integrity. - **Work Environment**: Collaborative, with a strong focus on mentorship and peer support. Employees are encouraged to lead initiatives, from social committees to Tech Lab training sessions. - **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: CRA offers flexible work arrangements, though specific policies vary by office and role. The firm supports a hybrid model for many positions. - **Benefits & Wellness**: Extensive offerings supporting physical, mental, financial, and emotional wellbeing, including competitive compensation, health coverage, and wellness programs. - **Career Growth**: Clear pathways for advancement, with a focus on hands-on learning from day one. Internships and entry-level roles provide exposure to high-stakes client work. - **Immigration Support**: CRA is committed to supporting international employees through the global immigration process. - **Notable Perks**: Access to a global network of experts, pro bono opportunities, and a strong alumni community. ## Sources 1. [crai.com](https://www.crai.com/) - Company website 2. [crai.com/cra-careers](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/) - Careers page 3. [crai.com/about-us](https://www.crai.com/about-us/) - About page 4. [crai.com/cra-careers/essential-facts](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/essential-facts/) - Essential facts page 5. [crai.com/cra-careers/why-cra](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/why-cra/) - Why CRA page ## Other roles at Charles River Associates - [(2027 Bachelor's/Master's graduates) Management Advisory Analyst/Associate (Energy)](https://feeny.ai/job/2027-bachelor-s-master-s-graduates-management-advisory-analyst-associate-energy-gswstgmskna6) — Toronto, Canada - [Associate/Cyber Incident Response eDiscovery (Forensic Services practice)](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-cyber-incident-response-ediscovery-forensic-services-practice-charles-x8q8ys9w742w) — Boston MA, United States / Chicago IL, United States / Dallas Texas, United States / New York NY, United States / Washington, DC - [Consulting Associate/Cyber Incident Response eDiscovery (Forensic Services practice)](https://feeny.ai/job/consulting-associate-cyber-incident-response-ediscovery-forensic-services-ya4cyj0bya9f) — Boston MA, United States / Chicago IL, United States / Dallas Texas, United States / New York NY, United States / Washington, DC - [(2027 PhD/ABD graduates) Senior Associate (Antitrust & Competition Economics) - United Kingdom](https://feeny.ai/job/2027-phd-abd-graduates-senior-associate-antitrust-competition-economics-united-epawmexdzvjv) — London, United Kingdom - [[2027 Master's graduates] Consulting Associate (European Competition practice)](https://feeny.ai/job/2027-master-s-graduates-consulting-associate-european-competition-practice-nmdaby0xn103) — London, United Kingdom - [[2027 Bachelor's graduates] Analyst (European Competition practice)](https://feeny.ai/job/2027-bachelor-s-graduates-analyst-european-competition-practice-charles-river-yrxzbg23q1wk) — London, United Kingdom - [(2027 PhD/ABD graduates) Economic Consulting Senior Associate - Canada](https://feeny.ai/job/2027-phd-abd-graduates-economic-consulting-senior-associate-canada-charles-tnwybzd2g2y1) — Toronto, Canada - [(2028 Bachelor's/Master's graduates) Management Advisory Analyst/Associate Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/2028-bachelor-s-master-s-graduates-management-advisory-analyst-associate-intern-8e6yjr4299sz) — Boston MA, United States / New York NY, United States - [(2028 Bachelor's/Master's graduates) Cyber and Forensic Technology Consulting Analyst/Associate Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/2028-bachelor-s-master-s-graduates-cyber-and-forensic-technology-consulting-s67emhce4sx1) — Boston MA, United States / Chicago IL, United States / Dallas Texas, United States / Washington, DC - [(2028 Bachelor's/Master's graduates) Accounting/Business/Finance Consulting Analyst/Associate Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/2028-bachelor-s-master-s-graduates-accounting-business-finance-consulting-v3g9rqgz79kp) — Boston MA, United States / Chicago IL, United States / Houston Texas, United States / New York NY, United States / Oakland CA, United States