Research Economist (CenTax) x2 (111029-1225)

For informal enquiries, please contact Beverley Morris Centre Manager (CenTax) at Beverley.Morris@warwick.ac.uk.

The Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax) is a research centre dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of taxation policies and practices. Led by Dr Arun Advani (Warwick) and Dr Andy Summers (LSE), CenTax undertakes research to generate rigorous quantitative evidence on tax at the top, develop targeted and feasible reforms, and communicate findings transparently to policy, media and civil society stakeholders.

Projects include analysis of the characteristics, behaviours and impacts of high earners in the UK, such as analyses of the UK’s “non-dom” regime, top-end migration, capital gains, and policies for taxing wealth. Further details are available on the CenTax webpage.

As a Research Economist, you will undertake research to contribute to and support the work of CenTax. The job will include a variety of tasks providing excellent preparation for doctoral programmes in public economics or a career in quantitative analysis of public policy.

Your primary responsibility will be to conduct data analysis at the UK tax authority’s secure research facility, HMRC Datalab, which is located in Stratford, London. Access to the data requires obtaining accreditation of ‘secure researcher’ status and demonstrating absolute commitment to upholding HMRC’s processes to ensure taxpayer confidentiality. As part of the CenTax team, you would benefit from our existing data access and infrastructure built up over many years of research. This is by far the most comprehensive access to UK tax data of any research team.

As well as data cleaning, validation and analysis, you will contribute to research designs, prepare and deliver presentations to academic and policy audiences, and edit academic papers. There will also be opportunities for co-authorship of papers and reports where this is merited by significant independent intellectual contribution.

Location

• HMRC Datalab, 14 Westfield Avenue, London E20 1HZ.
• You will also have access to CenTax’s office spaces at the London School of Economics.

Candidates must have:

• Completed (by start date) Master’s degree in economics or other quantitative social science.
• Ability to comprehend and apply complex technical information about the tax system.
• Excellent quantitative data analysis skills including experience or training in analysis of large datasets.
• Ability to conduct data cleaning and validation efficiently and with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent practical proficiency in the use of R
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage own workflow efficiently, including via communication with other team members.
• High level of initiative and desire to make independent intellectual contribution to projects.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 1st February 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your cover letter should explain:

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

Longlisted candidates will be asked to complete a data analysis/coding test lasting 2 hours.

Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to an online interview.

• Data Analysis / Coding Test: February 2026
• Interview Date: February 2026
• Start Date: September 2026 or earlier if available. 

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 26 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. Find out more about our flexible working arrangements.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.