Research Assistant in Economics and Public Policy

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family-friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave
• Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Opportunities for remote working.

More information about working at the School can be found on our jobs page .

About the role

The Blavatnik School of Government is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant in Economics and Public Policy to support Dr Irem Guceri  and Professor Clare Leaver .

You will support research on:

• Tax policy using large administrative datasets, in particular from the UK’s HM Revenue and Customs.
• Innovation policy using large company-level patent portfolio information.
• Education policy using randomised controlled trials in developing countries

The post will give you a unique opportunity to work with multiple teams and gain experience in: (i) working with large administrative datasets on policy issues surrounding tax and investment policy; (ii) running randomised controlled trials (RCTs); (iii) working in both high- and low-income country contexts; (iv) designing research projects and writing academic papers; (v) guiding public policy through research.

This contract is fixed-term for 15 months.

About You

You should hold a Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or development studies with a quantitative focus; have demonstrable ability to carry out independent quantitative research, including excellent practical proficiency in the use of R or Stata, and a willingness to work in either; possess sufficient specialist knowledge in economics to work within established research programmes; and demonstrate a systematic, thorough and well-organised approach to work, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to take responsibility for delivery of research tasks to specific deadlines.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon (UK time) on Thursday 22 February 2024.