Job description

A fantastic opportunity to join UK in a Changing Europe’s research team, contributing to its central objective of making social scientific research and analysis available to non-academic stakeholders.  

The Research Assistant will contribute to the varied activities of ‘UKICE’ through helping to produce original research outputs on political, social and economic issues. They will track ongoing policy debates, and assist with the production of reports, analysis of quantitative data, and interactive ‘hybrid’ online and in-person events. 

The successful candidate’s research may include developments within the European Union and the evolving UK relationship with the EU, as well as into the UK’s wider domestic and foreign policy agenda, post-Brexit. 

Both PhD and master’s-level researchers will be considered for the role, though a background in political economy and public policy would be preferable. The chosen candidate will have demonstrable experience of working within a busy, successful research team, will have a clear, accessible and accurate written style, and will ideally have strong quantitative skills. 

Background

The ESRC funds the   UK in a Changing Europe initiative, which since the Brexit referendum has been focused on its outcome and the practicalities of implementing the UK’s historic decision to leave the EU.

Based within the Policy Institute at King’s College London, the initiative’s work is tailored to be easily accessible to policymakers, businesses, journalists, civil society organisations, educational institutions and the general public who are interested in the UK’s relationship with the EU. This work is overseen by Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London, as UKICE Director. 

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 30th April 2025.

Key responsibilities

• Providing dedicated research assistance to the Director and senior UKICE researchers, and composing/co-writing original pieces for publication  
• Assisting in the preparation of written outputs and publications for key stakeholders 
• Assisting the organisation’s Fellows and grant-holders in the preparation of high quality written and audio-visual outputs 
• Attending and contributing to relevant research meetings and committees 
• Assisting with the organisation and attending the various ‘hybrid’ online/in-person event series run by the think tank throughout the year 
• Working on joint research projects, as required, with a variety of internal and external collaborators 
• Providing occasional support for UKICE’s in-house Communications Team, on shared projects and workstreams 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria  

1.       A master’s degree in politics, economics or a relevant social science subject (or significant equivalent experience)  

2.       Good experience of working as part of a busy and successful research team 

3.       A highly developed knowledge of the world of public policy and political economy 

4.       Excellent written communication skills, with an accessible, readable writing style that imparts often complex academic material with clarity, accuracy and impartiality 

5.       Ability to work independently and proactively under pressure and with minimal supervision; ability to show initiative and consistently good judgement 

6.       Flexibility and willingness to support colleagues during busy periods; ability to multitask and prioritise a variety of different ongoing tasks with multiple stakeholders 

7.      General IT proficiency, including a good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes (Excel, SharePoint and Teams especially)  

Desirable criteria

1.       A doctorate in politics, economics or a relevant social science subject 

2.       An understanding of statistical and quantitative analysis of economic and other data 

3.       An understanding of and ability to deploy quantitative methods of econometric data analysis – preferably in Stata or R 

4.       Experience of working within a university/higher education institution 

Further information

The selection process will include a panel interview (preferably in-person but potentially held remotely on Microsoft Teams or Zoom).  

The chosen candidate will be expected to work from UKICE’s central London offices at least 2-3 days a week.