Research Fellow Public Sector Economics

UCL Eastman Dental Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in England is seeking a Research Fellow in Public Sector Economics to contribute to the Public Sector Capabilities Index at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. This role requires strong quantitative skills and the ability to work with complex local government finance data. The successful candidate will be involved in integrating financial data and conducting comparative analyses. The position offers competitive benefits including extensive holiday, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

41 days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted medical insurance

Qualifications

• Ability to collect and interpret complex local government finance data.
• Experience in analyzing fiscal autonomy and public-service financing.
• Willingness to contribute to research through interviews and case studies.

Responsibilities

• Integrate financial data into the Public Sector Capabilities Index.
• Assist in comparative analysis across cities and countries.
• Maintain high standards of data quality and ethical practice.

Skills

Strong quantitative skills

Comfort with local government finance data

Conducting comparative analysis

Collaborative mindset

Project management

Job description

About the role

The Research Fellow in Public Sector Economics will contribute to the next phase of the Public Sector Capabilities Index at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the postholder will work to integrate local government finance into the Public Sector Capabilities Index assessment approach by mapping financial flows, and constructing a global, comparable dataset on subnational revenues and expenditures, local fiscal structures, land and asset policies ( land value capture), investment, resource allocation, procurement regimes, and governance arrangements. The postholder will assist in developing and applying conceptual and analytical frameworks to further our understanding of the relationship between local government finance and city governments’ ability to innovate and respond to change. By integrating financial data into the Public Sector Capabilities Index, the postholder will contribute to the generation of insights to inform city, national, and multilateral partners on how to align investment with real capability needs.

About you

The postholder will combine strong quantitative skills with an interest in how city governments allocate resources and finance public services. You will be comfortable working with complex local government finance data - collecting and interpreting budgets, accounts, revenues, expenditures, transfers, and investment profiles, integrating these into broader datasets that link fiscal structures to public‑sector capabilities and outcomes. You will be confident conducting comparative analysis across cities and countries, assessing how fiscal autonomy, institutional arrangements, procurement regimes, land policy, and asset management practices shape organisational performance.

You will also be comfortable contributing to research activities such as interviews and case studies, helping to translate technical fiscal and economic analysis into clear, accessible insights for policymakers and practitioners. You will bring a collaborative and research‑driven mindset, working closely with colleagues to develop peer‑clustering models, support conceptual development, and maintain high standards of data quality and ethical practice. The successful candidate will be organised, proactive, and able to manage project tasks and timelines to ensure delivery of high‑quality outputs.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, some of which are below :

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme : Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance