Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Energy Economics and Applied Micro-econometrics

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) wishes to hire a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in climate and energy economics. This is a three-year, fixed-term position. The successful applicant will hold an adjunct position at Trinity College Dublin . 

The Institute

The ESRI, founded in 1960, is located in Dublin’s South Docklands area. Our mission is to produce high quality research, relevant to Ireland’s economic and social development, with the aim of contributing to knowledge and informing policymaking and public debate. We have over 100 staff including economists, sociologists and other social scientists, in addition to support and technical staff. 

Energy Research at the ESRI 

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in Dublin has an active energy and environmental economics research group. We wish to recruit a postdoctoral researcher to expand our work on applied micro econometrics and evaluation of energy policies.  

The recent price hike in energy prices will impose an additional burden on vulnerable households, particularly on those who are already unable to afford an adequate level of energy services. Given this scenario, policymakers face new challenges. This project provides guidance and support for implementing policies to address fuel poverty by improving its measurement and targeting. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) funds the project. 

Role Description

The successful candidate will examine novel aspects of energy poverty incidence, such as the extent to which households must curb other aspects of consumption. Policy measures will be developed to better target those in fuel poverty. The project will require the application of state-of-the-art theoretical and empirical tools regarding behavioural micro-simulation and poverty measurement. The project will also involve primary data collection to investigate householders’ willingness to invest in energy efficiency and how this is influenced by interventions such as grants and information provision.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Successful candidates will have a PhD (completed or nearing completion) in Economics, or a closely related discipline. Experience or potential to publish in leading international, peer-reviewed journals will be a distinct advantage. 

Desirable characteristics are: 

• A background in economics, data science, sociology, or another relevant discipline
• Strong quantitative skills, incl. micro-econometrics, microsimulation or other policy evaluation technique
• Strong coding skills, incl. Stata, R or Python
• Demonstrated ability to work within a highly motivated team and on their own initiative.  
• Research experience with at least one of the following: Poverty measurement, sustainable consumption, behavioural economics
• Survey design and implementation
• Writing skills – demonstrated ability to write peer-reviewed journal papers 
• Presentation skills – present work at seminars and conferences 
• Communication skills – liaise with funders in SEAI as well as with external stakeholders  

Location

ESRI, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2.  Applicants should note that staff have the option of working remotely from their home in Ireland on a ‘blended’ basis with a minimum requirement of one day per week (or as business requires) based in the ESRI office.   This arrangement is running on a pilot basis. Full details will be provided at interview. 

Terms & Application Procedure

The role is full-time (35 hours net per week - standard working hours are 09.30-17.30, Monday – Friday; flexible working hours are supported). Appointments will be on a three-year, fixed-term contract basis and starting salary will be €46,226 which is the first point of the ESRI Administrative Officer (Higher) salary scale.  

To apply for this position please click on the 'Apply' button above. The closing date for applications is 12 March at 5pm.  All applications will be acknowledged. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed. The selection process will consist of a preliminary interview and, for candidates successful at that stage, a final interview, presentation, and written assessment. The ESRI is currently conducting selection processes via videoconference (MS Teams or Zoom). 

The ESRI is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to accommodating the needs of people with disabilities to enable them to participate in the selection process. Please let us know if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to take into account when considering your application.