Alongside the opening of the new Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale, the Yale Economics Department is establishing a predoctoral research assistant (RA) program. These RAships are open to those holding a recent BA, BS or Masters degree in economics or a closely related field and provide an opportunity for hands-on experience in research for one or two years. Each RA will work with a professor or group of professors on projects which are detailed at: 

https://economics.yale.edu/tobin-center/predoc-ra-projects

Separately, and complimentary, the Graduate School at Yale also offers a limited number of postbaccealaureate opportunities:

https://economics.yale.edu/news/graduate-school-offer-post-baccalaureate-opportunity-econ#sthash.ViwDg7zb.dpbs