Research Associate, Computational Social Science

Alan Turing Institute London United Kingdom Research Programmes
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Company Description

The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

Position

We are looking to hire an outstanding computational social scientist with a strong background in two complementary methodological areas: (1) data science and (2) agent-computing modelling. Experience in both areas is essential for this position as the Public Policy programme works with public-sector partners with a large demand for computational tools that (1) can exploit newly-availably large-scale data, and (2) are able to examine the micro-level causal mechanisms that generate them. The post-holder will join the Public Policy programme and will be a part of a multidisciplinary team focused on developing a new programme of research in policy modelling. We are open to computational social scientists with topical expertise in diverse areas, for example, inequality (of different types), economic development, industrial organisation, institutional design, social policy, international trade, etc.

The aim of this role is to develop data-rich and theoretically grounded models with high policy relevance. The expected outputs of this work include research articles in high-impact journals, policy reports with partner institutions, stakeholder workshop, conferences, and high-level presentations to government officials. Having some experience regarding the viability and limitations of policy interventions is ideal. The post holder will report to the Public Policy programme’s Head of Computational Social Science Research and will work closely with the other members of the research team.

Duties and Responsibilties

  • To develop high calibre data analysis and socioeconomic modelling.
  • To identify and curate data sources that can be used to calibrate/estimate and validate the models.
  • To design and implement realistic policy intervention experiments, and translate the results into intuitive lessons for policymakers.
  • To work with other Research Associates across the Policy Modelling research group and the Public Policy programme.

If appointed at a Senior Research Associate level, the post-holder will have additional responsibilities. Please see job description for full details.


Requirements

  • A PhD or equivalent level of professional experience in any quantitative discipline related to socioeconomic systems, complexity science, or computational social sciences.
  • A solid track record conducting innovative quantitative/computational research to study socioeconomic systems and their dynamics. We will consider candidates for an appointment at a Senior Research Associate level if they have significant postdoctoral research experience.
  • Experienced in working with large-scale datasets from various sources and formats.

Please see job description for full breakdown of duties and responsibilities and person specification.

Other information

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3970 2148 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 23 January 2022, at 23:59.

Interviews are expected to take place in the first week of February 2022.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis for 2 years. The annual salary is £37,000-£42,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Senior Research Associate level will be appointed at £46,690.

Please note candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary 34,510 per annum.

This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of the Institute and the role develop. The role requires flexibility and adaptability, and the post holder needs to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed in this job description.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter.


In line with current Government guidance, most of our organisation is currently working remotely. When Government guidance changes, we will trial a Hybrid Working Model for an initial six-month trial period. During this period, staff will be expected to work at our British Library office for a number of days per month, dependent on the requirements of the role. As a guide, we anticipate this will be between 2-4 days per month, but the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership teal to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].