Research Assistant (Economics) (111136-1225)

For informal enquiries, please contact Amrita Kulka, Assistant Professor, at amrita.kulka@warwick.ac.uk.

The Department of Economics is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to assist Dr Nikhil Datta  and Dr Amrita Kulka in the successful execution of their Nuffield-Foundation-funded Big Data project “Towards housing affordability: local supply drivers and optimal policy” (project page here).

In the face of plummeting housing affordability in the UK, the overall project examines various factors of the UK housing delivery system that may drive housing prices, ultimately seeking to answer what the optimal policy design would be to improve housing affordability across the UK. Sub-projects will focus on the role of market power among developers and landlords in contributing to poor housing affordability as well as the extent to which different planning regulations and conditions contribute to the lack of new housing supply and housing affordability. For further details, please check the lead researchers’ websites and project webpage, or reach out to them with questions via email.

The role will primarily involve quantitative analysis of our newly constructed data on planning documents combined with data on housing construction, search and price information, and other data that vary depending on the focus of a given sub-project. You will also be learning how to work with Big Data, with billions of observations, through cleaning, processing, and validation, as well as combining data from various sources. Additionally, you will contribute to preparing presentations for a variety of audiences (academic to policy-oriented) and drafting academic research papers.

This job includes a variety of tasks providing excellent preparation for doctoral programs in applied economics, a career in quantitative analysis of public policies, or a data science position in industry.

The start date is flexible, and the contract will be for 18 months with scope of extension.

We require an individual who has an interest in the research area, who is pro-active and willing to work as part of a team. The Research Assistant will be expected to assist with the construction, cleaning, manipulating and analysis of Big Data. They will also conduct reviews of existing literature, datasets, and policy documents and work closely with Dr Kulka and Dr Datta throughout to disseminate project outcomes and draft presentations, reports, and academic papers.

You will have completed a masters degree in Economics by the start date. In exceptional cases we might consider a candidate with a completed bachelors degree.

For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.

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

The Department of Economics has become widely regarded as one of the top economics departments in the UK and Europe. We consistently rank highly in leading UK and international subject league tables and are currently ranked 1st in the Good University Guide 2026. The Department provides a lively teaching and research environment and has recently been ranked 2nd in the Research Excellence Framework (2021). The department has a large MSc cohort and a highly reputable MRes-PhD programme. The appointed candidate will have the chance to interact with PhD students, postdocs and faculty in the department. The University of Warwick offers a whole host of training opportunities both internally and externally. There will be significant opportunity for the successful candidate to learn new skills.For further information about the Economics Department, please visit our website: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/

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 18th January 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.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

• Coding Test Date: Week Commencing 26 January 2026
• Interview Date: Week Commencing 02 February 2026

* Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 11:55pm (even if you opened the form earlier). 

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 26 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• 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.

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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.