The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) is the UK’s leading economics research institute. Our job is to analyse and inform economic and policy decisions and to help policymakers – and those who hold them accountable – understand the impact that their choices will have on individuals, households and businesses.

We are a team of economists, supported by a small team of communications and technical staff, working in collaboration with other academic institutions and experts from the public services, third sector and business. We count a number of the world’s leading economists among our researchers, and many of our experts go on to make up the next generation of policymakers, academic scholars and business leaders. Our culture of inclusivity, excellence and independence reaches beyond our staff to shape the future of economics and policy development.

The IFS is recognised as a global centre of excellence for social science research by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council. We are proud of our reputation for academic rigour, policy impact, high-quality communications and absolute independence – an independence that we preserve through careful choices about our funding sources.

The role

The purpose of the role is to ensure that the IFS keeps a full and accurate record of its publications and activities and that publications and their metadata are available online. The information is used for internal evaluation and monitoring, to report to funders and contribute to communications materials about IFS’s impact. The job includes gathering information, data entry and record checking, as well as putting together reports using the information; there is also scope to contribute to the organisation’s future thinking about how best to gather information about, and report on, its activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to learn about how a research organisation is managed, and to develop skills in data management and curation, as well as an understanding of working with a complex website and managing publications. You will work closely with colleagues in research services and communications teams and provide a bridge between them, helping to gather and collate information and data that will be used to demonstrate the impact of IFS research.

IFS senior management place great importance on ensuring a great working atmosphere with many intangible benefits such as: easy access to senior staff; a positive and supportive working atmosphere; light-touch internal administration (including strong potential for staff at all levels to effect change) and an active staff social scene including baking and sport.

One or two days a week from home hybrid working pattern will initially be available if desired. 

Person specification

The successful candidate will have an interest in working in a research environment and a desire to support academic impact. The job involves careful management of information, gathering, checking and updating records, so you should find satisfaction in doing this kind of work accurately and efficiently. The job holder will work collaboratively with different teams at IFS and should be comfortable communicating with a range of colleagues. The research information system we are using is relatively new to the organisation, and there is the potential for the job holder to become the in-house expert in this system and to suggest and implement improvements to the way we use it.

Essential skills and experience

• Educated to degree level, or equivalent

• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail

• Numerate, with experience of using spreadsheets and databases

• Strong IT skills (or example, with Excel and Word)

• Good written and oral communication skills

• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise

• Confidence in dealing with researchers at all levels, including senior academics

• Collaborative team player with flexible attitude, and willingness to muck in

• Keen self-starter with ability to manage own workload, often under pressure

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience of working with research information data or in research administration

• Experience of updating websites, using an online interface      

• Knowledge of academic publishing or publications management.

Contract and other details

The role will initially be offered as a two-year fixed-term contract, with a view to making it a permanent contract. The role is advertised as full time, but we will consider requests for part-time working. IFS works on a hybrid model, based primarily in the office, but with the option of some regular home working.

We will shortlist candidates once the application deadline has passed; interviews will be held in person on Monday 27th March.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.