Research Officer - Microeconometrics/Statistics

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) invites applications from microeconomists for the position of Research Officer to join our macroeconomics and housing research teams. This is a five-year tenure-track appointment.   

The post also entails an adjunct position at Trinity College Dublin.

The Institute

The ESRI, founded in 1960, is located in Dublin’s South Docklands area. Our mission is to produce high quality research, relevant to Ireland’s economic and social development, with the aim of contributing to knowledge and informing policymaking and public debate. We have over 100 staff including economists, sociologists and other social scientists, in addition to support and technical staff.

Macroeconomics and Housing Research Team

This role will cut across both the research areas of macroeconomics and housing. The macroeconomics team undertake research at both Irish and European levels, the results of which are disseminated to both policy and academic audiences. The team is active across a range of issues including: macroeconomic policy, forecasting and scenario analysis, the public finances, the labour market, the housing market and the financial sector. The housing team undertake a range of research activities to better understand the Irish housing market, the factors determining its development and the differing impacts across groups of households.  More specifically we have undertaken research on housing affordability, rental market function and rent controls, house price developments, investment in housing supply, credit market access and credit interventions.

Academic collaborations are an important dimension of our research, and we also enjoy strong collaboration and engagement with industry stakeholders. 

Role Description

Working with a team of dedicated economists, the overall purpose of the role will be to provide technical inputs to a range of research on the housing market, rental sector, and enterprises. There will be a particular focus on technical econometric research contributions, the analytics of managing and cleaning big data and multiple linked micro datasets.

The successful candidate can also expect to:

• contribute to relevant high-quality research papers which can be published in both international peer-reviewed journals and domestically oriented policy papers, with opportunities to disseminate research findings to stakeholders and at conferences;
• contribute to the development of new research projects and to other areas of Institute research, in line with skillset and funding opportunities;
• provide training to staff (in particular junior staff) on econometrics, data management and other technical skills;
• develop as well as lead their own research projects.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• A PhD in Economics;
• Ideally a minimum 4 years’ postdoctoral or equivalent research experience;
• Deep expertise in micro-econometrics and statistics with a specific emphasis on modern methods and data analytics;
• A detailed knowledge of big data analytical techniques and data cleaning processes;
• A knowledge of machine learning and other AI processes applied in a research context;
• Experience in providing technical training;
• Proficiency in drafting and report writing skills;
• Peer reviewed academic publications and policy reports; 
• Ability to present and communicate research findings to non-technical and technical audiences;
• Careful attention to detail while maintaining the drive to meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Project management and coordination skills - client management and the ability coordinate research activities within a team;
• Experience in writing research grant proposals is desirable.

The successful candidate should also have experience in independently developing their research work and have the flexibility and capacity to contribute to other areas of ESRI research.

Location

ESRI, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2. Applicants should note that staff have the option of working remotely from their home in Ireland on a ‘blended’ basis with a minimum requirement of one day per week (or as business requires) based in the ESRI office. The arrangement will run on a pilot basis for up to a year. Full details will be provided at interview.

Terms & Application Procedure

Appointment will be at Research Officer grade. A mapping of ESRI grades to the corresponding grades in the Irish University system is set out below. Appointments at Research Officer are normally made on the basis of a five-year, fixed-term contract and basic starting salary for new entrants to the Irish public service will be €61,617 which is the first point of the salary scale. Benefits include 30 days’ paid annual leave, membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and additional non-pensionable pay of 7% of basic salary. The successful candidate will be eligible for tenure, subject to assessment.

The role is full-time (35 hours per week - standard working hours are 0930 - 1730, Monday – Friday; flexible working hours are supported). The appointee will also hold an adjunct position at Trinity College Dublin. Secondment arrangements may be considered for eligible candidates. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact jobs@esri.ie for further information on the terms and conditions of this position.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 30 April 2024. All applications will be acknowledged. The selection process will consist of a preliminary interview and, for candidates successful at that stage, a final interview and presentation. The preliminary stage of the selection process will be held via videoconference and the final stage may be held in person. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed. 

The ESRI is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to accommodating the needs of people with disabilities to enable them to participate in the selection process. Please let us know if you have any requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to account for when considering your application.