Post-Graduate Research Fellow

Indecon is seeking suitably qualified individuals who have recently completed their PhD in economics, social research, public policy or a related discipline and are seeking to apply their skills in applied economic and policy research.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have experience in quantitative analysis, econometrics, data analysis, excel modelling, impact evaluation, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, regulation, competition, and forecasting.

 

Summary of the Role 

The successful candidates will fulfil the role of Postgraduate Research Fellow with Indecon. Successful applicants will be expected to work effectively with both colleagues and clients, using their knowledge of economics to address real world problems. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of economic theory and public policy and a genuine interest in applying their skillset to real world situations. 

The role will involve working on a range of projects for our clients across the public and private sectors, both in Ireland and internationally. Indecon has experience in undertaking economic analysis and policy analysis advising clients across a wide range of areas including policy evaluation, capital appraisal, counterfactual impact evaluation modelling, advice to commercial clients, labour market analysis, health economics, environmental economics, economic forecasting, regulatory economics, energy economics, competition economics, economic impact assessments and analyses across a range of other areas. 

The Postgraduate Research Fellow role with Indecon includes: 

  • Undertaking research and analysis using data from public sources as well as confidential data from clients
  • Undertaking econometric and statistical modelling
  • Undertaking complex excel modelling
  • Designing and managing surveys, and using statistical techniques to analyse and interpret the quantitative data collected
  • Providing economic and statistical advice to governments, commercial enterprises, organisations and other clients in light of research findings
  • Producing research reports and presentations based on underlying economic analysis
  • Participating in stakeholder engagement processes
  • Managing junior staff in the completion of project deliverables
  • Engaging with clients
  • Working as part of wider teams in the delivery of complex research projects

 

The role offers an opportunity for the successful candidates to work in an environment that offers great variety in the nature of work as well as the chance to contribute to public policy and businesses in Ireland, the EU and internationally.  We also offer all employees a supportive and flexible working environment.  

Indecon can offer the successful applicant a competitive starting salary with opportunities for advancement.  

 

Requirements 

Indecon is seeking individuals who who have recently completed their PhD with a qualification in economics, social research, public policy, or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have an outstanding academic record with qualifications from a leading Irish or international university. 

Superb English communication skills, both written and verbal, are an absolute necessity for any candidate. Some experience of working in consultancy or in a public policy will be an asset.

 Candidates will be expected to be able to demonstrate the following skills and expertise: 

  • Strong written communication skills with demonstrable experience in communicating complex economic concepts to a non-technical audience
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work effectively in a team
  • Experience of engaging with clients and stakeholders
  • Comfort in working in an environment with client driven deadlines for deliverables
  • Experience working with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Experience with data analysis and manipulation, ideally using STATA and/or R
  • The ability to manage your time effectively across multiple project commitments

Experience and/or training with the use of AI tools would also be an asset.   

The ideal candidate will also be able to demonstrate skills and experience with one or more of the following: 

  • Economic cost-benefit analyses
  • Economic impact assessments
  • Econometric and statistical modelling
  • Policy evaluation
  • Quantitative social research
  • Qualitative social research
  • Business case development
  • Data analytics and large dataset modelling
  • Excel modelling
  • QGIS and/or related spatial modelling
  • Financial modelling
  • Regulatory economics
  • Energy economics
  • Competition economics
  • Labour economics

Experience undertaking data analysis and economic modelling using STATA or R would be an asset, as would any experience with spatial analysis using programmes including QGIS.   

 

Working Arrangements

Indecon is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we are an equal opportunity employer. Indecon offers employees complete flexibility on working arrangements and can facilitate remote working on a full-time basis, blended working or office-based employment, depending on the wishes of individual staff members. We can also accommodate job sharing and part time work.  

We also provide a competitive reward package, an exceptionally positive working environment and the opportunity to be part of a team that is contributing to commercial and policy decisions at the highest level.

    

How to Apply 

To apply, please send your application by e-mail to Brian O’Connell, Partner with Indecon at boconnell@indecon.ie.  

When contacting us you should enclose:  

  • A cover letter indicating your motivation for working at Indecon.
  • A curriculum vitae describing:
    • Your academic background and grades (we do not require transcripts at this stage).
    • your employment history.
    • Contact details of at least two referees; and
    • Your nationality and visa status, if applicable.