Research Associate – Microsimulation Modelling at Manchester Metropolitan University

Interested in incomes, poverty, social security and tax policy? Possess strong coding skills? Want to use your analytical skills to influence political and policy debates?

The Policy Evaluation Research Unit at Manchester Metropolitan University is recruiting a Research Associate to work on microsimulation modelling. The role involves maintaining and developing a tax-benefit microsimulation model used by several major UK think-tanks. You will manage relationships with users across the UK, identifying priorities for model improvements. Developing improvements to the model in Python, you will ensure that the model meets the very highest standards of rigour suitable for use in high-profile political and media debates.

You will also have the opportunity to communicate and disseminate the findings of your work within the research and academic community, and to support funding bids for methodological developments in microsimulation modelling.

For this role, you will need:

• Strong coding skills – ideally in Python – including the ability to learn new languages as required.
• Quantitative data analysis skills and experience – ideally using major national surveys such as the Family Resources Survey.
• A very strong interest in social policy – particularly incomes, poverty, social security and taxation.
• An understanding of policy development processes.

The Policy Evaluation Research Unit is a supportive multidisciplinary environment in which we carry out cutting-edge research to influence policymakers in the UK and across Europe.

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter (of no more than 2 pages) via our application portal. For an informal discussion about this role please contact Liz Cain (l.cain@mmu.ac.uk) Head of Department.

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.