Research Associate - Wales Productivity Forum

Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university seeks a full-time research associate to address Wales' productivity challenge. The role involves research, data analysis, report writing, and stakeholder engagement. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent experience in economics or related fields and strong communication skills. The salary ranges from £41,064 to £46,049 annually, depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• An established expertise in regional economics and Welsh economy.
• Proven ability to publish in academic journals.
• Knowledge of competitive research funding.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on Wales’ productivity challenge.
• Develop research objectives and proposals.
• Engage with external stakeholders and collaborate.

Skills

Research expertise

Data analysis

Literature review

Effective communication

Teamwork

Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level in economics or related field

Job description

Overview

The Productivity Institute brings together experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, working directly with policymakers and businesses to better understand, measure, and enable improvements in productivity across the UK, with the aim to improve living standards and well-being.

The Wales Productivity Forum are looking to recruit another fixed term research associate to support the work of the forum by undertaking and disseminating research on Wales’ Productivity Challenge. The role will support the generation and dissemination of evidence on productivity and will involve literature reviews, data analysis, report writing and dissemination activities, including supporting forum meetings, as appropriate. The forum aims to inform policymakers and businesses about relevant insights from the Institute’s work. A willingness to engage with external stakeholders and the central research team at the Productivity Institute is therefore a key requirement of the role.

More information about the forum is available at: https://www.productivity.ac.uk/regions-nations/wales-regional-forum/ or contact Professor Melanie Jones [e-mail]

The full time role (35 hours per week) is immediately available on a fixed-term basis for until 31 August 2026.

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)

Date advert posted: Thursday, 23 October 2025

Closing date: Thursday, 20 November 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function

To conduct research on Wales’ productivity challenge to inform and support the work of the Wales Productivity Forum. To contribute to the overall research performance of The Productivity Institute by carrying out impactful and high-quality published research.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To conduct research on Wales’ productivity challenge and contribute to the overall research performance of the Productivity Institute and Cardiff University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the dissemination of this research.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the Wales Productivity Forum, including the planning and organisation of Forum meetings and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School and Institute research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the Wales Forum profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the enhancement of the regional and national profile of the Productivity Institute.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in Productivity Institute administration and activities to promote the Institute and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications And Education

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in economics or a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

i. Regional economics and/or the Welsh economy

ii. The drivers of productivity

• Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field
• Proven ability to publish in national/international journals/ national/international conferences and/or other research outputs
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working

• Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
• Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

• Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
• Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of collaborations with industry and/or policymakers.
• Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
• Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the Productivity Institute and School.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES

It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (XXXXXBR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Cardiff Business School

Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.

Salary Range Min.

41,064

Salary Range Max.

46,049

Job Category

Academic - Research

Grade

Grade 6