At a Glance
- Tasks: Apply behavioural science and data methods to drive impactful audits and research.
- Company: Join a leading bank focused on innovative behavioural insights.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a focus on learning and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by influencing decision-makers with your research skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in behavioural economics, psychology, or related field; strong research experience required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Join us as an Empirical Behavioural Scientist, Behavioural Risk. Play a key role in applying cutting-edge behavioural science, empirical social science, and data science methods to deliver high-impact audit and research engagements. Help drive tangible impact by generating robust evidence on how customer and organisational behaviours influence outcomes, decision-making, and risk, answering strategically important questions. Influence senior decision-makers by applying rigorous empirical methods to critical issues, helping shape the future application of behavioural science within Internal Audit and the bank more broadly.
What you'll do:
- Deliver and, at times, lead behavioural risk audits and research engagements.
- Design, execute, and interpret empirical research using behavioural science, statistics, causal inference, and generative AI technology, helping to provide insights and assurance on issues that matter to customers, colleagues, and the bank.
- Designing and delivering empirical research and audit work using behavioural science, quantitative analysis, and causal inference methods.
- Translating complex evidence into clear, concise, and compelling insights and recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Supporting the adoption of scientific thinking, empirical research methods, and innovative analytical approaches across Internal Audit and the wider bank.
- Coaching colleagues and contributing to a collaborative, intellectually curious, and high-performing team culture.
- Maintaining audit and research documentation, contributing to risk intelligence activities, and staying at the forefront of developments in behavioural science, data science, and generative AI.
The skills you'll need:
- A degree, or equivalent experience, in behavioural economics, economics, psychology, or another relevant empirical social science discipline.
- Strong experience in designing, conducting, and interpreting empirical research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, or other quantitative approaches.
- Expertise in statistics, causal inference, and the analysis of large or complex datasets, with the ability to develop and test hypotheses.
- Strong coding capability for research and statistical analysis, such as Python, alongside the ability to draw robust conclusions from multiple data sources.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analytical findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- A collaborative mindset, enthusiasm for coaching others, and curiosity, as well as adaptability and a desire to learn and innovate.
- Experience with large-scale datasets, SQL, code quality practices, behavioural science applications, financial services, audit, or generative AI would be advantageous.
Hours: 35
Job Posting Closing Date: 23/08/2026
Ways of Working: Remote First
Summary Location: London; Edinburgh Type: Full time
Empirical Behavioural Scientist, Behavioural Risk in Edinburgh employer: NatWest Group
Coutts & Co is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join a leading Private Banking and Wealth Management firm during a pivotal growth phase. With a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development, employees are encouraged to influence strategic decisions while receiving support from senior leaders. The role of Managing Legal Counsel not only provides a platform for impactful legal work but also fosters an environment where innovation and efficiency are valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
