Economic Researcher

This is a key role within Learning and Work Institute’s research and development team, with responsibility for developing high-quality evidence and knowledge. You will play an integral role in maintaining excellence in the production of evidence and advice on learning, skills and employment. The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge and experience of a range of statistical, analytical and evaluation techniques and an interest in the policy context for learning, skills and employment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake quantitative analysis to explore the effectiveness of different interventions and identify cohorts and areas most likely to benefit from them. 
• Support the implementation of evidence-based approaches and the development of new trials and pilots. Develop and utilise appropriate research and analytical methods and tools. 
• Develop and manage systems for gathering, recording, analysing and presenting data from a range of projects for maximum impact. 
• Contribute to the production of high-quality research, policy and evaluation reports, interpreting often complex evidence in a way that is accessible to a wide range of audiences. 
• Contribute to high quality evidence synthesis projects and evaluations to support policy makers, commissioners and practitioners to make decisions grounded in the latest, best available research. 
• Ensure research and findings are communicated to key stakeholders, including policy makers, commissioners and practitioners, in an informative and accessible way. 
• Support the design of toolkits and other dissemination products which key stakeholders can engage with and use to drive change in the way they design and deliver services. 
• Manage small projects and lead on elements of large projects. 
• Support the development and training of the wider team in collaboration with senior R&D staff. 
• Support income generation, in collaboration with other L&W staff, including contributing to the preparation of funding proposals. 
• Represent L&W at external meetings and undertake public speaking/presentations with support as necessary. 
• Undertake project administration and coordination tasks related to research activity. 
• Supervise interns, associates and temporary staff in relation to research activity, including possible line management responsibility for research interns. 
• Contribute to a positive, open and collaborative approach, operating in line with Learning and Work Institute’s core values and Staff Charter. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to equality of opportunity. 

Travel and occasional overnight stays will be required. 

About You

Essential

• Degree (in economics, statistics, research or social science with significant statistics element), equivalent qualifications or evidence of equivalent experience 
• Quantitative analysis skills, including regression, weighting, significance testing  
• Skills in conducting analysis using statistical software packages such as Stata and SPSS 
• Ability to develop sampling strategies and draw samples using statistical software 
• Knowledge of large administrative and survey datasets in the areas of lifelong learning, employment and skills 
• Strong track record of organising, coordinating and managing a range of activities against competing deadlines and priorities 

Desirable

• Experience of designing complex quantitative analysis projects  
• Experience of designing and analysing experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation projects (including randomised control trials, matched statistical designs, difference-in-difference designs or regression discontinuity designs) 
• Skills in designing and analysing value for money and/or economic evaluation (including cost-benefit analysis, Social Return on Investment) 
• Experience of disseminating statistical findings from research and evaluation via written reports, workshops and presentations 
• Experience of undertaking policy-related research projects, using a range of research methods  

The successful candidate will have to undergo an enhanced DBS check. 

Benefits

Salary of £25,200 - £34,125 , depending on experience and location

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Silver award in Investors in People

How to Apply

To apply, please fill out the application form and upload your CV and a short supporting statement answering the 4 questions below (no more than 250 words per question please).

1. Please tell us what attracted you to the researcher role at Learning and Work Institute. When answering this question, explain why you are interested in L&W in particular, and the attributes you bring to this specific role and the organisation.
2. Please outline your key research and analytical skills and capabilities, providing examples of how you have used them. When answering this question, explain how your skills and capabilities meet the job description and person specification. Examples should be detailed and include key considerations that you took into account when applying your skills and capabilities.
3. Please describe a time that you had to work as part of a team to deliver a project, and your role in delivering the project. When answering this question, explain the aspects of the project that you had responsibility for, how this related to the wider project and the steps you took to ensure there was effective teamwork and the project was successfully completed. Consider the key aspects to effective teamwork, and how these are demonstrated by your example.
4. Please tell us about a time you managed/coordinated a project or piece of work. How did you ensure that it was completed to time and quality expectations? When answering this question, explain the steps you took when managing/coordinating the project or piece of work, how you planned and prioritised tasks and the time required to complete them, and the outcome you achieved by doing this successfully.

Applications will only be considered when submitted with a CV and supporting statement.

The closing date for applications is: 2nd February 2025

L&W is passionate about equality and diversity, it drives our organisational values and mission, and we are particularly keen to receive applications from all under-represented groups in society.