The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday it has appointed French-born economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas as the Fund's next chief economist, replacing Gita Gopinath, who is joining the IMF management team this month.

The Fund said Gourincha will start part-time on January 24 and transition to full-time Fund work on April 1. As economic counselor, he will serve as director of the IMF's Research Department.