Economics

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) in London is offering a full-time predoctoral or part-time PhD Research Assistant position to support projects mapping skills in online job postings to labor market outcomes. The role involves working at the intersection of economics, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on extracting structured information from unstructured text data and implementing econometric models. The successful candidate will collaborate with Professors Stephen Hansen, Fabien Postel-Vinay, and Imran Rasul, and be part of the broader IFS research community. Responsibilities include developing algorithms for skill extraction, cleaning and organizing large datasets, replicating and developing analyses, drafting academic papers and policy briefs, and contributing to new research projects. Applicants should have a master’s degree in economics, data science, or a related field, proficiency in Python or R, and experience with machine learning and NLP techniques. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and writing skills are essential, as is the ability to work independently and in a team. The position is fully funded for two years, with a salary range of £35,850 - £38,000, and is based in London with at least three days per week on-site. Visa sponsorship is not available, so candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Applications are open until July 21, 2025, and should be submitted via BeApplied with a CV and cover letter. This opportunity is ideal for those seeking to develop research skills and contribute to impactful policy research in a leading microeconomic institute.