Postdoctoral Research Associate, Policy Modelling For Wealth Inequality

Alan Turing Institute London United Kingdom Research Programmes

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 modelling background in methods such as agent-computing and network science, that are relevant to analysing and designing policy interventions. The post-holder will join the Public Policy programme and will be a part of a multidisciplinary team of data scientists and modellers focused on developing a new programme of research in policy modelling.

The aim of this role is to develop data-rich and theoretically grounded models of the socio-economic and legal mechanisms that generate and propagate wealth inequality within and across societies. The candidate will have experience in sourcing different types of large-scale datasets (this may include non-structured ones), as well as in pre-processing, analysing, and coupling the datasets with highly disaggregated computational models through adequate parameter estimation methods. The PDRA will also engage with government stakeholders, so having some experience regarding the viability and limitations of policy interventions is ideal. They 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 AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To develop highly-resolved models of the socio-economic and legal mechanisms that generate and enhance wealth inequality. Such models should take full advantage of different types of large-scale data and should facilitate the experimentation of different types of policy interventions.
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 Postdoctoral Research Associates across the Policy Modelling research group and the Public Policy programme.
To develop work plans to ensure timely delivery of objectives and assist with quarterly grant reports.
To build and maintain relationships with policy-makers and socio-economic modelling groups as part of the research project’s external engagement strategy.
To prepare research outputs that are tailored to a diverse audience, ranging from policy-makers to academic researchers, civil society, and the general public.
To present papers and research outputs at external conferences and events.

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. This would entail a deep understanding of the behavioural principles that drive socioeconomic behaviour, and the ability to combine them with ideas about complex adaptive systems such as micro-to-macro dynamics (emergent properties), propagation through and formation of complex networks, adaptiveness, co-evolution, criticality, and non-equilibrium dynamics.
Experienced in working with large-scale datasets from various sources and formats.
Outstanding computational skills to analyse large-scale data and to produce efficient and well-documented agent-computing models.
A proven ability to collaborate successfully in a multidisciplinary environment and to manage delivery of projects
A record of scientific publication, which may include journal articles, book chapters, and scientific advisory reports/white papers, that is suitable to career stage and appointment level
Excellent writing skills and a proven ability to communicate research findings to diverse audiences

Please see the Job description attachment for a full breakdown of the duties and responsibilities as well as the person specification.

Other information

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a full-time post on a 2-year fixed term contract length. The annual salary is £37,000 to £42,000 (dependent on skills and experience) plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant with a salary of £34,500 per annum.

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; covering letter that outlines how you meet the job specifications; a list of publications as well as a sample piece of writing (a journal article, conference proceeding, book chapter, or equivalent); and contact details for two referees. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us via email recruitment@turing.ac.uk.

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to recruitment@turing.ac.uk quoting the job title.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 17 October 2021 at 23:59.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued, and everyone is treated fairly. 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.

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

Please note all offers of employment are subject to continuous eligibility 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 HR@turing.ac.uk.

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JobDescription-WEALTHINEQUALITY.pdf

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