Postdoctoral Research Assistant

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Full-Time, Fixed Term (36 months)

Applications are invited for the post of Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Economics.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join the research project Social Mechanisms and Applications led by the Principal Investigator (PI), Professor David Levine.

The main goal of this project is to study social mechanisms and their allocations. Social norms are crucial for groups to succeed: from political parties, to labour unions, to special interest groups, even to criminal gangs. Each of these groups faces a free-rider problem: it is in the interest of each individual in the group to let the others do the work of advancing the common interest. Norms are equally pivotal in persuading individuals not to engage in anti-

social behaviour, from littering, to thievery, and worse, where again a divide appears between individual goals and larger interests.

The project aims to link work in game theory to the operation of social norms in a heterogenous agents’ framework. The project will involve economists, psychologists, and computer scientists at Royal Holloway in order to understand how social norms develop and sustain themselves. 

The project has both theoretical and empirical focusses along with subject experiments.

Proven research ability in economic theory or programming knowledge of Python or related languages are desirable. Moreover, data management skills and a high level of competence in econometrics and machine learning are desired. Experience in economic experiments would also be desirable. Most of all, the successful candidate will have a great enthusiasm to conduct research on this topic.

This is a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The successful candidate will work 1/3 time directly on the project and 2/3 of the time on individual grant related research.

Please quote the reference: 1224-350

Closing Date: 23:59, 31 January 2025

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Further details:   

Job Description & Person Specification    

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page.

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