Postdoctoral Research Officer in Dynamic Economic Modelling

University of Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Officer specialized in economic modelling to enhance outcomes for adolescent girls across Africa. The successful candidate will design and analyze economic models, conduct ROI assessments, and collaborate with international teams. A doctorate in relevant fields and experience in economic evaluation methods are essential. This position offers flexible working hours and is based in Oxford with opportunities for remote work.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Part-time working options

Supportive working environment focused on equality and diversity

Qualifications

• Experience applying cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, or ROI analysis.
• Strong record of high-quality research outputs.
• Experience working on research addressing outcomes for adolescent girls and young women.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of economic models for adolescent-focused interventions.
• Conduct advanced quantitative analyses for cost-effectiveness and ROI.
• Contribute to policy-focused publications and investment cases.

Skills

Advanced quantitative analysis skills

Statistical programming in R

Statistical programming in Stata

Economic evaluation methods

Strong communication skills

Education

Doctorate in economics, statistics, public health, or quantitative social sciences

Job description

The Department of Social Policy and Intervention is seeking an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Officer in dynamic economic modelling to join a multi-country; multi-institutional research collaboration focused on economic modelling and return-on-investment (ROI) analysis for programmes improving outcomes among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) across Africa. This post is part of a partnership between the Universities of Oxford, Cape Town, and the Witwatersrand, working with the Gates Foundation, and government partners across Africa. The project aims to identify and model cost‑effective, scalable interventions that improve education, health, and economic outcomes for adolescent girls, and to generate evidence‑based investment cases to guide policy and funding decisions.

The Postdoctoral Research Officer will lead the design, implementation, and analysis of economic models estimating the cost‑effectiveness and ROI of adolescent-focused interventions in Sub‑Saharan Africa, working closely with senior investigators and international collaborators. You will build and apply economic models, conduct advanced quantitative analyses, estimate costs and returns for intervention packages, integrate national datasets into dynamic models, and contribute to policy-focused publications and investment cases for governments and donors.

You will hold, or be close to completion of, a Doctorate in economics, statistics, public health, or quantitative social sciences, with advanced quantitative analysis skills with statistical programming in R and Stata. You will have experience applying economic evaluation or modelling methods such as cost‑effectiveness, cost‑benefit, or ROI analysis as well as a demonstrable understanding of development and health economics.

You will have a strong record of high‑quality research outputs in peer‑reviewed publications, along with experience working on research addressing outcomes for AGYW. The ideal candidate will also have worked with interdisciplinary and international teams, ideally in Low‑ and Middle‑Income contexts. With strong communication and organisation skills you will be committed to improving outcomes for adolescent girls and young women in Sub‑Saharan Africa.

The Department is committed to fostering an environment of equality, diversity and inclusion. The hours may be worked flexibly to complement caring responsibilities and applications are welcomed from part‑time workers seeking a job share position — please state preferred hours and working pattern in your application.

You will be based in Oxford as your normal place of work however there is opportunity for remote working.

The Department of Social Policy and Intervention holds a Bronze Athena Swan Award which demonstrates our commitment towards advancement of gender equality in higher education and research institutions: equal opportunities, representation and success for all.