Senior Behavioural Economist – Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity until 31st March 2027 in Leeds

Division: Economics

Department: Strategic Economics

Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £53,800 to £59,600 and London from £59,200 to £65,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

Role graded as: Senior Associate - Regulatory

About The FCA And Team

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services.

The Consumers, Econometrics and Behavioural Unit (CEBU) produces behaviourally informed empirical work to support the FCA’s policy, strategy, supervisory and enforcement functions. The team uses experimental methods, behavioural science and data science to understand consumer behaviour and generate practical insights for regulatory application, working closely with internal stakeholders and external academic partners.

Role Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and application of behavioural insights to support policy work, helping to improve consumer outcomes and inform regulatory decision‑making.
• Design and deliver behavioural science research, including experimental studies and behavioural interventions, to provide evidence‑based recommendations.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to develop practical behavioural science tools, frameworks and solutions for policy and operational use.
• Analyse and communicate complex behavioural insights clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, including senior non‑technical stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects and deliver high‑quality research and analysis within agreed deadlines, maintaining technical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate initiative and sound judgement in identifying opportunities to enhance policy development, regulatory approaches and operational effectiveness.
• Provide behavioural science advice and guidance to colleagues across the organisation, supporting wider capability building.
• Contribute to team development through mentoring or potential line‑management responsibilities, where appropriate.

Minimum Skills required

• Demonstrated experience of applying theoretical and empirical behavioural economics, experimental economics, economics and/or psychology literature to real‑world issues.
• Experience of producing evidence to support decisions and policymaking, for example gained through working in a regulator, government department, or consultancy supporting such policymakers or financial services firms.

Essential Skills

• Good knowledge of experimental research methods, including the design, delivery and analysis of randomised controlled trials and behavioural interventions.
• Proficiency in R, or experience with a similar programming language such as Python or Stata, with a willingness to learn and work in R.
• Well‑developed analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments, identify priority issues and translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships, persuade decision‑makers and present evidence‑based arguments confidently.
• Practical experience delivering behavioural research projects, with solid project‑management skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities while maintaining pace and quality.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively to non‑expert audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Self‑motivated and open to new ideas, demonstrating initiative, sound judgement, continuous learning and a commitment to personal and team development.
• Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork, contributing positively to team culture and helping others develop effective ways of working.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Non‑contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary.
• Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance.
• 35 hours of paid volunteering annually.
• Hybrid model: employees must work a minimum of 40% in the office each month (expectation of 50% for senior leaders). Changing from September to a minimum of 50% in the office each month (expectation of 60% for Directors and Executive Directors).
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle.

Our values and culture

Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture that is free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better regulation.

If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help – reach out for tailored support. We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part‑time and job sharing where applicable.

Disability confident: our hiring approach

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long‑term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. In cases of high application volumes we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.

Useful information and timelines

Job advert closes: Midnight on 10th June 2026

CV Review/Shortlist: 12th June 2026

Interview: w/c 22nd June 2026

Please note that this fixed term and secondment opportunity will be until March 2027.

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore please make them aware if you are unavailable for any date during this time.