Senior Economists Wanted

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) is Europe’s leading centre for research on the microeconomics of public policy. Politically independent, it bridges the gap between policymakers and academics carrying out top quality research and engaging and communicating with policymakers and the media.

The IFS is looking to recruit a number of outstanding economists to join our team. They should have a strong interest in one of the areas mentioned below.

Staff at this level will, of course, be expected to undertake high quality and rigorous research in a timely and efficient manner. We also need people who can originate and develop rigorous and policy relevant research ideas, take the lead in writing research funding applications, and present and disseminate the research.

The successful candidate will have a proven record in economic research. With an excellent academic background, they will have experience of research, either in a policy, academic or consultancy role. He or she will be comfortable applying cutting-edge analytical techniques to large data sets, including administrative data, producing top quality economic research, developing ideas, managing projects, providing intellectual leadership to more junior researchers, raising funding and disseminating research findings to a diverse audience. Excellent communication skills are a must.

We are looking for economists with knowledge of, or interest in, one of the following areas.


Tax policy



Work will include study of how various aspects of tax affect the choices of individuals and firms, including in relation to individuals’ work choices, firms’ location choices and tax avoidance. Our research is based on developing and exploiting large datasets, most recently including HMRC tax records. We use estimates of how tax affects behaviour alongside knowledge of institutions and tax design to address topical policy questions. For example, current research is considering how capital incomes should be taxed relative to labour incomes, accounting for the effect that policy choices have on entrepreneurship, avoidance and inequality. There will be considerable scope to shape future research ideas and to work on new initiatives to communicate our work and shape tax policy debates.

Local government finance and links to inequality

Work will include analysis of the revenue and spending issues facing local and devolved government bodies, how the bodies are responding to these issues, and the policy options available going forwards. This research will be based on exploiting administrative and survey data, the IFS’s model of the English local government finance system, and compilation and critique of relevant analysis by other organisations. Our current and planned research in this area is examining: how revenue and spending trends and choices are varying across councils and the factors driving these; the impacts of financial reforms aimed at incentivising support and promotion of economic and housing development; issues for key spending areas such as social care services and housing; the scope for further devolution to local or devolved government; the changing patterns of geographical inequalities in productivity, skills, employment, earnings, and deprivation, and the implications local and devolved government finance; and the impact of local and national public service spending on income inequality.



Retirement and saving behaviour



Work will include using survey and administrative data sources to examine individual saving and retirement behaviour and estimate the impact of reforms such as Automatic Enrolment, Pension Freedoms, and changes to the State Pension Age. There will be considerable scope to shape future research ideas and work on new issues that arise in what is a rapidly evolving area of active policy development.

This is an opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading researchers within a very high quality team, and to have a real impact on policy and in the public debate.

How to apply

To apply, please select the apply button shown and include a cover letter, referring to the job description and person specification, and your CV by the deadline of 13th December 2019. You should indicate which of the areas you are interested in working in – this could be more than one if your experience covers a broad area.

Shortlisted candidates from this stage will be invited for interview at our offices in London on 9th or 10th January 2020.

This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit.

The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Other organisations may call this role Senior Economist, Economist, Economic Modeller, Fiscal Modeller, Financial Analyst, Economic Research Associate, Financial Consultant, Economic Researcher, or Economic Research Fellow.

Apply

To apply click here:

https://www.econ-jobs.com/economics-jobs/senior-economists-12948

Job summary