Research Fellow (110976-1025)

For informal enquiries, please contact Halima Jibril (Assistant Professor) at halima.jibril@wbs.ac.uk.

This role is part of an ESRC-funded project that seeks to improve understanding of effective business support provision in the UK. This is an exciting collaboration between the University of Warwick, Aston University, City University of London and the Innovation Growth Lab atNesta.

The project aims to inform policymakers and government agencies, and to guide the design and implementation of targeted interventions that strengthen the UK’s business support system. The project will achieve this through leveraging existing data from business support experiments (Randomised Controlled Trials) related to the adoption of digital technologies and management practices to improve productivity. 

The postholder will be responsible for cleaning and linking multiple experimental survey datasets with administrative data to construct panel datasets. They will also apply advanced econometric techniques to both cross-sectional and panel data. The role provides opportunities to work closely with, and be mentored by, academics across the partner organisations, as well as to engage with policymakers and other non-academic stakeholders.

The postholder will have the opportunity to engage with a vibrant research community through the Enterprise Research Centre and the Innovation and Research Caucus.

You will have a PhD in economics, business studies or a related quantitative social science discipline. You should have demonstrable experience of quantitative methods, in particular panel data econometrics and experience in linking data at different levels of aggregation.

You will have experience working with administrative firm-level datasets, and preferably be familiar with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) business datasets and working environment.

You will be flexible, motivated and creative, with the ability to take initiative in leading the analysis and applying demonstrably strong problem-solving skills. You will also have the ability and interest to collaborate widely across institutions to deliver the objectives of the project.

A strong interest in conducting robust, policy facing research is highly desirable, as is experience with firm-level experimental data.

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

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

Please view our online brochure, specifically created for candidates, to gain further insight into working at Warwick Business School. 

Warwick Business School (WBS) is a place where big ideas meet real impact. We’re part of a world-class university, but we’re more than just our reputation. For nearly 60 years, we’ve been helping people turn ambition into action, equipping them to make a real difference in the world. 

About Us 
We were the first UK business school to achieve triple accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA, AACSB), and our programmes consistently rank among the best - view all of our rankings here. 

But what really sets us apart is how it feels to be here. We’re down to earth, collaborative, and proud to create a place where staff, students and alumni feel at home. We want your time here to be as inspiring as it is rewarding, with the support, trust, and opportunities you need to grow both professionally and personally. 

Our Vision 
The world needs smart ideas, and the leaders who can bring them to life. Those ideas only matter if they can be put into practice. Our vision is simple: to shape the people and ideas that will define what comes next and ensure they have everything they need to make it happen. 

Everything we do is underpinned by our CORE values and fuelled by a Change Maker mindset. We look for this shared commitment in everyone who joins our community. We nurture that mindset every day by creating a workplace where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are shared openly, and everyone has the chance to turn bold thinking into meaningful action. 

Change Makers

• See the bigger picture. They think beyond themselves, seek out different perspectives, and consider the ripple effect of their actions.
• Challenge the norm. They question the status quo and look for better ways to make a difference. 
• Have the drive to deliver. They don’t just imagine change; they put in the work to make it happen. 

Our CORE Values 

• Curiosity. We challenge, explore, and create to build a better future. 
• Openness. We welcome ideas, feedback, and change to keep moving forward. 
• Restlessness. We’re never content to stand still; we keep striving for more. 
• Excellence. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do. 

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: Monday 10th November 2025 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).

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: 1st February 2026

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.
• 30 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. For more information, see here.

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.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

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.