Are you looking for a new challenge and want to join a successful and rapidly growing organisation? Do you have a passion for enabling people to perform at their best? If so, we want to hear from you.

What does an Associate Research Advisor (Predictiv) at BIT do?

The role is in our Predictiv team, which is responsible for our online research. Predictiv is the world’s first and most used behavioural online experiments platform enabling policy-makers to access timely empirical evidence to inform their decision-making. It can probe understanding, sentiments, and estimate real world behaviours. It enables us to collect data from an online population of participants across a variety of online methods ranging from simple surveys to complex simulations within randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Predictiv has the technical flexibility to replicate a range of decision environments from static posters to website simulations. To date, we have conducted more than 250 trials across 15 countries and collected data from over 600,000 participants. 

This role will span all of our Online Research work, as well as taking on other quantitative research including data science, field trials, and evaluations when required. Your work will inform key policy decisions, similar to these:

• Can choice architecture promote sustainable choices in online food-delivery apps? 

• Is the UK public overconfident?

• Quitting e-cigarettes vs tobacco: what motivates people to stop?

• How can private landlords be encouraged to rent to people receiving Universal Credit (UC)?

If you want to answer these kinds of questions, why not apply for this role?

This role is offered at Associate Research Advisor level, which means you will be involved in things like:

• Conducting research for multiple online trials simultaneously whilst working with other researchers and policymakers across BIT;

• Co-design of online RCTs, including design of the experiment, design of the test stimuli, and design of the outcome measures;

• Setting up online experiments on the Predictiv platform, including coding randomisation, connecting to participant panels, and running technical pilots; 

• Monitoring data collection and providing regular updates to the wider project team; 

• Data cleaning and analysis of outcome data (including coding in R or Python) in line with trial protocols; and 

• Interpreting and communicating results in the form of written reports, slide decks, or presentations.

What makes a great Associate Research Advisor (Predictiv) at BIT?

We are looking for people who understand what we do, share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. We are looking for candidates with the skills listed below. We expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

• Excellent quantitative skills. You have a Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant quantitative subject (such as economics, econometrics, statistics or psychology), or relevant work experience that demonstrates a similar level of understanding. You have more than basic skills with R (or Python). We welcome applications from other data manipulation languages, but you will be expected to primarily code in R.  Knowledge of data visualisation or data science methods is a bonus. 

• Demonstrable knowledge of theory and practice of statistical concepts. You can explain linear and logistic regressions, hypothesis testing, clustered standard errors, statistical power calculations and stratification. You understand the conceptual basis behind power calculations and the factors that affect power.

• A solid understanding of ‘causality’ and statistical reasoning. You can design experiments which will provide a causal estimate of the effectiveness of a particular intervention and you can assess whether existing research produces causal estimates or not.

• Knowledge and understanding of online RCTs. You understand the concept of an online randomised control trial and clustered trials. You have experience or training in using and analysing experimental data sets (such as administrative data) for the purposes of evaluation or predictive modelling.

• Ability to manage workloads from multiple projects simultaneously. You can manage a workload of several projects and deliver to a high standard on a tight deadline. 

• Interest in public policy. You can see both sides of an argument, for example, on Winter Fuel payments or universal free school meals, and you can think about what makes some policies effective and others impractical.

• Clear and convincing communications. You can explain complex topics in simple terms. You can lead parts of a workshop or presentation and write clearly and concisely. Bonus if you can design clear and impactful slide decks! 

• Managing and developing yourself at work. You demonstrate high self-awareness and regularly self-reflect. You are aware of the impact that your actions and words have on those around you. You are resilient and accept responsibility for decisions whether they achieve the desired outcome or not.

Who are we and what can we offer you?

The Behavioural Insights Team is the world leader in applying behavioural science to public policy challenges in order to strengthen communities and improve lives. 

We design and rigorously test new ideas across a range of areas such as health, crime and education, to establish what works and what doesn’t. We have helped Tuberculosis patients take their medicine; reduced police susceptibility to cyberattacks; and helped organisations close their gender pay gap.

BIT really is a great place to work:

• Bonus scheme

• Generous pension scheme with 7% employer contribution

• A flexible benefit pot of £1,100 to spend on our flexible benefits programme which currently includes things like the ability to buy extra annual leave at the start of the year, gym membership, cycle to work scheme etc or just take as cash.

• 25 days of annual leave (in addition to public holidays) for full-time employees, rising to 27 days after 2 years continuous service

• We offer enhanced parental leave payments

• We encourage flexible working and have a culture which enables this; for example flexible start and finish times and an IT set up which allows for easy working from home options

• We have regular team lunches with inspirational guest speakers. 

• We’re a social bunch and have a variety of interest groups including Film Club, BIT Kids for our parents & 5-a-side team to name a few.

• We have a great office, which has a fabulous roof terrace overlooking the Thames river, an amazing coffee machine and fridges stocked full of soft drinks!