Friedrich is a researcher at Stellenbosch University, specialising in applied micro-econometrics in economics of the household and firm in so far as it relates to consumption and labour decisions. He was awarded his Master’s in Economics, cum laude, from the University of Stellenbosch in 2015 after spending a semester at Zurich University. In this period he was also awarded the ERSA scholarship for his work on firm level data and labour demand. He received his honours in Economics and Bachelors in commerce with law subjects from the University of Stellenbosch in 2012 and 2011 respectively