Research Fellow in Employment and Education Economics

This post is full time, 35 hours per week and is fixed term for two years.

The Centre for Employment Research (CER) specialises in microeconomic analysis of the labour market.  This work covers, for example, employment, earnings, education and social mobility and is underpinned by the rigorous application of quantitative techniques.  An important area is programme evaluation, where we use both experimental and non-experimental methods to generate high-quality evidence with the aim of enriching and informing policy discussions. Increasingly, we work with population-level administrative datasets. Examples include: the role of education in alleviating labour market disadvantage (using Longitudinal Education Outcomes data, LEO); the causes and consequences of youth custody (also LEO); the use of linked Census data to explore social mobility; and the development of new labour market statistics using HMRC tax records. We are part of the ADR Community Catalyst: Youth Transitions consortium, promoting the use of administrative data.    

We are looking to further strengthen the team with the appointment of a Research Fellow. Applicants should have strong quantitative skills and be experienced in working with large datasets – everything from data cleaning to econometric modelling.  Experience of microeconometric evaluation techniques would be particularly welcome, as would experience of datasets such as NPD-LEO.  There will be opportunities to work on a variety of projects that have real world impacts and have secured us the 2nd highest REF 2021 impact score nationally in Business and Management.

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with an eye for detail, an aptitude for cutting-edge quantitative research (Stata and/or R experience a definite plus) and an interest in shaping public policy.  We welcome those with imagination and creativity, who will find an environment that provides the freedom to generate research ideas and the encouragement to develop project proposals and expertise.  The successful candidate will join a vibrant research centre, with staff working at the forefront of the discipline.

Please visit the CER website https://centre-employment-research.com for more information.

Professors Peter Urwin [urwinp@westminster.ac.uk];

Richard Dorsett [R.Dorsett@westminster.ac.uk]; and

Franz Buscha [F.Buscha@westminster.ac.uk] are also happy to discuss any aspect of our work.

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply' above. Further information can be found in the job description and person specification, which can be accessed through this link too.

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We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment which is equitable, diverse and inclusive, is based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.

The University has adopted Smart Working principles to support and further our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims of being an inclusive, collaborative and flexible employer. Further details of Smart Working can be discussed at interview stage.

Closing date: midnight on 25 February 2025

Interviews are likely to be held: week beginning 10 March 2025

Administrative contact (for queries only): Recruitment@westminster.ac.uk

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