Research Assistant - Quantitative

Ecorys UK; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary with London weighting

Hybrid working

Pension & life assurance

Learning & development via Ecorys

Volunteer day

Profit share scheme

Job summary

Ecorys UK is seeking a Research Assistant - Quantitative in Birmingham to join our Policy and Research team. You will develop quantitative research skills, design data collection, and analyse data for social and economic policy projects across UK offices.

The role offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, with opportunities to grow into Research Manager and beyond within Ecorys. A relevant degree and experience in quantitative research are required.

Qualifications

• Relevant undergraduate degree or Master’s in a social science, stats, data science, or economics.
• Experience with quantitative research design, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency in R or Python for data analysis, including AI in workflows.
• Strong time management, organization, and ability to meet deadlines.]
• Experience of writing up and presenting data findings in a clear manner.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply quantitative methods across diverse policy studies.
• Design data collection and manage primary/secondary data sources.
• Clean and analyze data to produce clear outputs for colleagues.
• Support desk-based research and contribute to business development activities.

Skills

Time management

Project management

Written & verbal communication

Problem solving

Data interpretation

Education

Undergraduate degree

Master’s degree

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Research Assistant - Quantitative

Application Deadline: 24 November 2026

Department: Social Research

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Birmingham, UK

Description

Ecorys is a leading international research and consultancy company addressing society’s key challenges. We combine our deep knowledge of the societal challenges and our extensive skills and expertise to help clients in the public and third sectors make evidence-based decisions. Ecorys is a company with strong European roots and international presence. With own offices in 10 countries, we employ over 600 people working alongside external experts and associates in about 200 locations throughout the world.

The Role

Our Policy and Research team are currently looking for Quantitative Research Analysts / Data Scientists to join us to work on Social and Economic Policy. We are a team of 90+ research and evaluation specialists delivering impactful work for a variety of clients. We are recruiting for new Research Analysts to bring diverse talent to roles based in all three of our UK offices.

Our work ranges from small-scale research projects on key policy topics, to larger scale multi annual monitoring and evaluations of policies and programmes for national, European, and international clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply quantitative research skills to a wide variety of tasks related to the design, implementation, and analysis of quantitative studies. Including developing research questions and analysis plans, designing and implementing data collection, and undertaking analysis.
• Help design and manage primary data collection (e.g. surveys, management information) and access secondary data sources such as large-scale administrative data.
• Play a key role in data cleaning and analysis to produce informative and clear outputs to colleagues.
• You will also have the opportunity to develop your qualitative skills, including desk-based research (e.g. literature reviews) and interviewing, and grow your client facing and business development skills by contributing to work winning activities.

Over the last few years, our UK Research Analysts have been exposed to a breadth of projects for the UK government to evaluate a range of environment, education, and children, youth and families programmes. As well as embedding technical learning and development, this has enabled and supported a progression path to Research Manager and further progression within Ecorys.

What you will bring

• A relevant Undergraduate Degree and / or some relevant work experience in a research or consultancy role (whether paid or voluntary); or a Master’s Degree (including mid-studies or currently applying for) in a social science, social research, statistics, data science, maths or economics, research methods and related subjects.
• Experience of quantitative research including study design and analysing and writing up findings from a range of data sources.
• Preferably skilled in R and/or Python programming for data analysis, including integrating responsible AI into workflows.
• Excellent time-management and project management skills being able to plan and prioritise your work to deliver tasks and meet deadlines
• Experience of writing up and presenting data and research findings in a variety of written and verbal styles
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to effectively problem solve and resolve issues

Our offer

Our team culture is collaborative and supportive, we aim to help everyone grow in their roles, towards a happy and fulfilling career with us. We have a wide range of staff networks and support groups including a staff women’s network, a carer’s network, a neurodiversity group and our LGBTQ+ network. You can get involved in our wellbeing and social value activity including using your paid volunteering day to support our charity partner.

We offer a highly competitive benefits package including

• Salary: £27,200 - £28,000 pro rata
• London weighting: £3,500 per annum pro rata (for London‑based contracts)
• 25 days annual leave pro rata (plus bank holidays), increasing with service
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Company profit share scheme
• Pension, life assurance and wellbeing support
• Paid volunteering day each year
• Access to learning and development through the Ecorys Global Academy
• Opportunities for professional development and knowledge sharing.
• A collaborative, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
• A modern, well‑equipped office with a welcoming atmosphere.