The Resolution Foundation is looking for a thoughtful and proactive individual to join our research team on a one-year fixed term contract to support work on a specific research project.

What does the role involve?

The successful candidate will primarily provide research support on a project funded by the Nuffield Foundation using the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset to characterize the job ladder in England.

The role provides opportunity to develop and deepen expertise in the use of UK micro data, especially the LEO, to bring a research project to fruition and to inform the public and decisionmakers about the policy relevant findings. Duties primarily involve working with the LEO in the ONS SRS, and then communicating findings to senior staff and external stakeholders. The output of the project will be a policy paper and academic journal article on which the candidate would be a named coauthor.

There may also be some opportunities to get involved in other work at the Foundation. The Foundation’s work programme currently includes incomes and inequality; jobs, skills and pay; housing, wealth and debt; tax and welfare; public finances and the economy. More recently, we have added work streams on trade, net zero and productivity, covering these issues through both an intergenerational and regional lens.

What kind of person are we looking for?

We are interested in hearing from individuals with advanced expertise in econometrics, analysing micro data and writing academic and policy papers, comparable to a level that would be gained in the course of doctoral studies in economics or similar subject. Previous experience of working with the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset is not a prerequisite, but would be an advantage. We also require strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work quickly and flexibly as part of a small, close-knit team.

What is the organisational culture?

The Foundation prides itself on analytical rigour and we strive to achieve standards of excellence in all our work. This commitment is matched by dedication to our core purpose, working to improve the living standards of those on low-to-middle incomes. These twin pillars of rigour and purpose inform our culture and underpin everything we do.

As a member of our research team, the successful candidate will benefit from interaction with senior stakeholders in government, media and the wider policy-making world. We hold a regular programme of external events, hosting diverse speakers from the policy making world, including universities, the voluntary sector and the private sector, and we regularly engage with politicians from across the political spectrum. We also hold internal masterclasses and roundtables with leading experts who engage with our work in detail. The research team have backgrounds in economics, social sciences and a range of other disciplines, and carry out quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, using a wide range of micro-datasets and macroeconomic data sources.

Investing in our team is a priority for us and we work hard to ensure each employee feels valued, respected and able to give their best. We use formal training, on-the-job learning and mentoring from colleagues to actively develop the skills and reputations of all our team. Postdoctoral Research Interns can expect to develop skills in quantitative data handling and analysis; communicating research, whether in a written form, using visuals, or orally; policy reviews and analysis; and developing their own network.

We offer a competitive benefits package and a range of flexible working and family-friendly policies including generous occupational benefits and annual leave allowances. We are a small closeknit team who all support each other and share cross-organisational work in addition to fulfilling individual responsibilities. Our office is based in Westminster with home working available up to two days per week, subject to business need. We also have a range of family-friendly policies and practices.

Diversity at the Resolution Foundation

The Foundation recognises the lack of diversity in economics and the policy-making sector, and works to address this through implementing and promoting best practice in internal policies and procedures, and through devising and supporting sector wide initiatives promoting careers in economics and think tanks to underrepresented groups.

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy encompasses all areas of our work and also our contribution to wider efforts in the sector. Many of our positive action initiatives are primarily focused on helping to feed the pipeline of future policy makers. For more information about our ongoing work in this area, please see our recruitment brochure.

We are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to assist candidates to navigate the application process and/or the demands of the role itself. Please contact sharmina.khanam@resolutionfoundation.org if you would like to speak to someone in confidence about your needs.