Post Doctoral Research Associate in Agent-Based Climate Macroeconomics

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

38 days annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan

Travel loan

Job summary

The University of Oxford's Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on macroeconomic impacts of UK climate mitigation policies. You will develop agent-based models, collaborate with DESNZ, and contribute to publications and policy engagements.

The role requires a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant field, strong economics knowledge, and programming experience. Flexible working, with a minimum in-office presence.

Qualifications

• PhD/DPhil in a relevant discipline or near completion.
• Strong programming experience and a solid grounding in economic theory (macro, complexity).
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with track record of research publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply innovative agent-based macroeconomic modelling.
• Analyze results via sensitivity testing and simulations.
• Contribute to academic publications and present findings to government partners.

Skills

Macroeconomics

Agent-based modelling

Quantitative analysis

Policy engagement

Education

PhD/DPhil in Economics or related

Tools

Python

Simulation software

Job description

The University of Oxford is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to research examining the macroeconomic impacts of UK climate mitigation policies. Based at the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET), the successful candidate will join the MacroCB7 - Macroeconomics of the Seventh Carbon Budget project, working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to assess how climate policies affect economic growth, employment, inflation and inequality.

Working with Professor Doyne Farmer, Tom Youngman and Dr Donal Brown, you will contribute to the development and application of an innovative agent-based macroeconomic model to evaluate the economic and distributional consequences of net zero policies. Research will explore areas including low-carbon heating technologies, government finances, alternative investment scenarios and the potential for social tipping points in climate transitions.

The role combines quantitative research, software development and policy engagement. You will develop and implement new modelling approaches using Python, analyse results through sensitivity testing and simulation, contribute to academic publications, and present findings to government and policy partners. From June 2027, the research will expand to examine transformative net zero policies across energy, housing, transport and food, with a particular focus on reducing inequality alongside greenhouse gas emissions.

We are seeking candidates who hold, or are close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in a relevant discipline, with programming experience and a strong understanding of economic theory, particularly macroeconomics and complexity approaches. You should have excellent analytical and communication skills, experience contributing to research publications, and an interest in applying quantitative modelling to climate policy. Experience in agent-based modelling, collaborative coding or policy-engaged research would be advantageous.

The role is based at INET's offices on Manor Road, Oxford. Flexible working arrangements may be considered, subject to discussion and approval, including part-time working at 0.5 FTE or above. A minimum of one day per week in the office during term time is expected.

This position offers the opportunity to develop and apply innovative economic modelling methods to inform UK climate policy, working within an interdisciplinary research team with established government partnerships.

This post is offered on a full-time, fixed-term basis for 18 months upon start date. (Part-time arrangements of 0.5 FTE or above may be considered)

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.

The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity