VACANCIES
We currently have six vacancies
CSAE Senior Research and Policy Officer (Economic Policy Network)
Salary: Grade 7: £38,674 - £46,913 per annum, dependent on experience
Contract: Fixed – term (until 30 November 2026), Full time (applications for part time will be considered)
Deadline: 13 January 2025
Apply: University of Oxford COREHR page for EPN Senior Research and Policy Officer
We are initiating a new research project to support African policymakers deal with some of the global and local challenges they are facing: including the debt and macroeconomic growth crisis following COVID and the changing geopolitical situation; the impact of climate change and required energy transition; and the need for more effective government to overcome the governance and implementation deficit in a world with scarcer resources.
The postholder will have an exciting opportunity to engage with the large community of researchers at the CSAE, the broader Oxford academic community, and with other researchers at universities and international organisations working on similar areas, while also developing their own research portfolio.
About you
You will hold a graduate degree in economics, public policy, development studies, or a related field, with a focus on development economics or political economy. A doctoral degree is desirable, but relevant work experience can compensate. Strong quantitative skills with an ability to distil complex data into clear, actionable insights is key, alongside a demonstrated interest in development economics.
The ideal candidate will have proven experience in writing research papers and projects, particularly in themes related to economic development in Africa and developing countries. Experience in working with multilateral organisations, international financial institutions, and government agencies is highly valued. A track record of publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals and policy outlets, in addition to experience in policy engagement, is crucial for influencing both research and policy debates.
The role also requires excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to innovate and collaborate effectively with colleagues. The postholder must be able to communicate complex research to diverse academic and non-academic audiences, leveraging various media platforms to engage stakeholders and build a research community. Experience in South Asia outside of India is an added bonus.
How to Apply
You will be required to upload a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. The closing date for applications is 12 noon (UK time) on Monday, 13 January 2025.
Please submit a full online application via the following link: University of Oxford COREHR page for EPN Senior Research and Policy Officer
Contact: recruit@bsg.ox.ac.uk
CSAE Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary: Grade 7: £ 38,674- £ 43,171 per annum
Contract: Fixed – term (3 years), Full time (37.5 hours / 1 FTE)
Deadline: 15 January 2025
Apply: EJM CSAE Postdoctoral Researcher
The postholder will have an exciting opportunity to engage with the large community of researchers working in developing countries at the CSAE, the broader Oxford academic community, and with other researchers at universities and international organisations working on similar areas, while also developing their own research portfolio. Oxford provides a vibrant environment for researchers in the social sciences. Many previous Oxford postdoctoral fellows have moved on to permanent faculty positions at leading universities in the US and Europe, or in leading public policy organisations.
This is an open post-doc suitable for a candidate with a recent PhD to conduct research in development economics for three years at CSAE, based at the Economics Department in Oxford. The research should be related to the African continent, or on economic themes with direct relevance to it.
Duties of the Role
- Develop further an existing or new portfolio of independent research, preferably with Oxford-based researchers, consistent with the aims and objectives of the CSAE;
- Contribute to the development economics research community, including contributing to the organisation and attendance of seminars, and workshops, contribute through mentoring and/or supervision of students, and other activities consistent with further developing the vibrant development economics community at Oxford. There are teaching opportunities but they are not a requirement beyond contributing to some supervision of students in master’s degrees.
- Contribute, in ways commensurate with other members of the Centre for the Study of African Economies, to its activities, such as its preparations for the annual conference and its capacity building activities focused on sub-Saharan Africa’s research community.
How to Apply
Candidates are encouraged to send their applications by the 15th of January 2025. Online interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for late January 2025 - early February 2025.
Please submit a full online application via the following link: EJM - Econ Job Market.
Contact: personnel@economics.ox.ac.uk
CSAE Predoctoral Fellow
Salary: Research Grade 6: £34,982 - £40,855 per annum
Contract: Fixed term from 1 September 2025 to 30 August 2026 (some flexibility around those dates), with the possibility to extend. Full time
Deadline: 15 January 2025
Apply: University of Oxford COREHR page for CSAE Predoctoral Fellow
The postholder will join Associate Professor Dennis Egger as an inaugural pre-doctoral fellow of a new research group for macro-experimental development at Oxford. The group will focus on combining experimentation at-scale with more structural approaches to economics to learn about the challenges and impacts of large-scale development interventions. Thematically, the research agenda will initially focus on the macroeconomic and general equilibrium impacts of cash transfers and social protection more broadly, particularly in East Africa (Malawi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia). The group will work with partner organisations, including local governments and the NGO GiveDirectly. There are several large-scale randomized controlled trials and large-scale data collections – on the direct and general equilibrium impacts of cash transfers and social protection policies, including in the context of refugees – in the field or in preparation, in Malawi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.
The postholder will work as a research assistant on several large-scale research projects on cash transfers and social protection in East Africa. They will engage regularly with principal investigators, post-doctoral and doctoral students, and other pre-doctoral students in the group. They will be engaged in all aspects of the research process, e.g. fieldwork planning, the design of survey instruments, providing oversight to data quality checks, data cleaning and analysis, data visualization. The postholder will also play a key role in developing materials to communicate our results, including presentations and policy briefs.
The role will be based at Oxford, but may involve travel for fieldwork, workshops and policy engagement. CSAE and the research group can support this travel financially, as well as provide other research-related resources.
This position is a great opportunity for those hoping to go on to doctoral work in economics or public policy or a career in international development. It provides excellent exposure for the applicant’s future career, specifically through oversight of a large-scale randomized control trials implemented in collaboration with governments, international organizations, and NGOs. This will be an great opportunity to observe and implement best practices in research conduct, and contribute to some large-scale long-term research projects from start to finish.
The post-holder would be embedded in a larger research group, learn from peers, doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows, and have access to the broader community of the Centre for the Study of African Economies [CSAE], an internationally renowned development economics research centre at the University of Oxford, with researchers based in the Department of Economics, the Blavatnik School of Government [BSG], and the Oxford Department for International Development [ODID]. They may attend seminars and conferences and potentially take some courses not for credit.
A successful candidate will have the ability to carry out independent quantitative research, excellent skills in statistics/econometrics and a demonstrated ability to take responsibility for driving new projects to completion. They should hold excellent team working, communication and organisational skills, with a keen eye for detail. A master’s degree in economics (or similar) with a quantitative focus, along with an interest in development economics, is essential.
How to Apply
Candidates are encouraged to send their applications by 15th January 2025.
Online interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for late January 2025 - early February 2025.
Contact: personnel@economics.ox.ac.uk
Apply via University of Oxford COREHR job page for the predoc role.
CSAE Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Salary: Grade 8 RS: £48,235-£ 57,255 per annum
Contract: Fixed – term (3 years), with the possibility of renewal
Deadline: 15 January 2025
Apply: EJM CSAE Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The postholder will join Associate Professor Dennis Egger as an inaugural post-doctoral fellow of a new research group for macro-experimental development at Oxford. The group will focus on combining experimentation at-scale with more structural approaches to economics to learn about the challenges and impacts of large-scale development interventions. Thematically, the research agenda will initially focus on the macroeconomic and general equilibrium impacts of cash transfers and social protection more broadly, particularly in East Africa (Malawi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia).
The group will work with partner organisations, including local governments and the NGO GiveDirectly.
This is a postdoctoral position attached to a new research group for macro-experimental development at Oxford, combining large-scale RCTs with structural economic modelling. The postholder will work within a team of fellows, including at least two post-doctoral fellows, a research manager, several doctoral students, and pre-doctoral fellows. It is also embedded in the broader CSAE network, with ample opportunity for collaboration.
It is suitable for a candidate with a recently completed PhD in economics to conduct research in development economics for three years at CSAE, based at the Economics Department in Oxford. The successful candidate will ideally have experience with fieldwork, a strong technical background in data analysis and economic modelling (e.g. spatial equilibrium models, macro models). Their research should be related to the African continent, or on economic themes with direct relevance to it. Applicants originally from sub-Saharan Africa are strongly encouraged to apply.
Duties of the Role
- To engage in research of a quality commensurate with publication in leading international economics journals, and to present their research at international conferences and research workshops.
- To carry out collaborative projects with other members in the group, and with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups
- To play a full role in the intellectual life of the development economics research community, including contributing to the organisation and attendance of seminars, and workshops, contribute through mentoring and/or supervision of students and pre-docs, and other activities consistent with further developing the vibrant development economics community at Oxford.
- To support the set-up of a new macro-experimental development group at Oxford, including through the development of research strategies and plans, fundraising, and mentorship of group members.
- To contribute, in ways commensurate with other members of the Centre for the Study of African Economies, to its activities, such as its preparations for the annual conference and its capacity building activities focused on sub-Sahara Africa’s research community.
- The postholder may have the opportunity to teach (remunerated, flexible, and not required). This may include lecturing, small-group teaching, and tutoring of undergraduates and graduate students.
- To independently manage their academic and associated administrative duties, to coordinate their workload, meet deadlines. The role involves project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines, co-operating in the administration of the research projects.
- To support the organisation, management and supervision of research assistants.
How to Apply
Candidates are encouraged to send their applications by the 15th of January 2025. Online interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for late January 2025 - early February 2025.
Please submit a full online application via the following link: EJM - Econ Job Market.
Contact: personnel@economics.ox.ac.uk
CSAE Research Manager
Salary: Research Grade 7: £38, 674 – 46, 913 per annum
Contract: Fixed term from 1 September 2025 to 30 August 2026 (some flexibility around those dates), with the possibility to extend. Full time
Deadline: 15 January 2025
Apply: University of Oxford COREHR page for CSAE Research Manager
The postholder will be integral in setting up the research centre in collaboration with Dr Dennis Egger. They will share the vision and a passion for implementing it. We are looking for an experienced Research Manager to join the programme from the outset, giving the postholder the opportunity to establish ways of working and help set the tone as the programme develops.
The postholder will lead all operational and financial aspects of the research centre. They will help with hiring, and the setting up of systems and management structures. In its initial year, the centre plans to hire post-doctoral researchers, several doctoral students, and pre-doctoral fellows. The postholder will manage this team and support field research activities in East Africa, manage cross-project research synthesis activities, help build a platform for open data access, collaborate with the academic team on fundraising, and lead activities to promote research findings. They will also be engaged in relationship building and management with the advisory board, and partner organisations and governments.
This appointment offers a unique opportunity to take on significant operational and financial responsibilities in a growing multidisciplinary research group in developing country settings, to train and mentor high quality staff, and to provide research management for more complex research activities. The postholder will be part of a dedicated research team at the Department of Economics at Oxford University, work closely with the Professional Services team at the Centre for the Study of African Economies [CSAE], and perform a key liaison role with colleagues across the wider University, including at the Blavatnik School of Government [BSG], and the Oxford Department for International Development [ODID].
The role will be based at Oxford, but involve substantial amount of travel for fieldwork, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagement. CSAE and the research group can support this travel financially, as well as provide other research-related resources.
How to Apply
Candidates are encouraged to send their applications by 15th January 2025.
Online interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for late January 2025 - early February 2025.
Contact: personnel@economics.ox.ac.uk
Apply via University of Oxford COREHR job page for the research manager role.
Senior Research Officer (Postdoctoral Researcher), What Works Hub for Global Education
Salary: Grade 7: £ 38,674- £ 43,171 per annum
Contract: Fixed – term (3 years), extendable funding permitting. Full time
Deadline: 15 January 2025
Apply: University of Oxford COREHR page for Senior Research Officer
The postholder will have an exciting opportunity to engage with the large community of researchers at the What Works Hub for Global Education, the CSAE, the broader Oxford academic community, and with other researchers at universities and international organisations working on similar areas, while also developing their own research portfolio. Oxford provides a vibrant environment for researchers in the social sciences. Many previous Oxford postdoctoral fellows have moved on to permanent faculty positions at leading universities in the US and Europe, or in leading public policy organisations.
The postholder will contribute to the WWHGE work in Pillar 3, research in implementation science in education. In addition to conducting independent research, the postholder will be expected as much as is feasible to work on research projects with, or relevant for our strategic partners, working closely with Stefan Dercon and Noam Angrist. The postholder will author and co-author academic articles, working papers, reports, policy briefs, and other outputs, summarizing and reporting on results of the research synthesis and evidence translation. They will coordinate, manage, facilitate and contribute to existing research projects within WWHGE and strategic partners, guided by Stefan Dercon and/or Noam Angrist. They will identify and implement novel independent and joint research, preferably with Oxford-based researchers, that is consistent with the focus of the project, including working with strategic partners.
The postholder will be expected to contribute to the broader development community, including as curated by CSAE, such as by attending seminars and workshops, some mentoring of students, and other activities consistent with further developing the vibrant research community on education and development at Oxford.
About You
You will either already hold or be close to completing a PhD degree in economics, education, public policy and/or development studies you will have a strong focus on research on education with a strong quantitative focus. You will have proven experience in the form of papers and projects of research in themes broadly linked to the post.
Along with your experience of conducting research on developing economies, with strong preference for experience in research on Africa and South Asia, you will have the ability to carry our independent quantitative research, with solid theoretical foundations, including strong writing skills and excellent skills in statistics/econometrics. Strong IT skills specific to the discipline, including the use of Stata/R and LateX.
You will have the ability to work effectively with colleagues as part of building and contributing to a research community. You will also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially those necessary for working in policy circles and to communicate effectively to relevant academic and non-academic audiences using a range of media.
How to Apply
You will be required to upload a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.
The closing date for applications is 12 Noon on Wednesday 15 January 2025
Contact: recruit@bsg.ox.ac.uk
GENERAL VACANCIES
The CSAE advertise a variety of opportunities throughout the year for potential applicants for Associate Professorships and Research Fellowships at the Department of Economics, Blavatnik School of Government, and Oxford Department of International Development, and also for our CSAE Visiting Fellowship positions. All vacancies will be featured on our website and advertised via the CSAE Twitter account, CSAE LinkedIn account, and to our mailing lists.
