At a Glance
- Tasks: Construct and validate measures of cognitive load and mental health using Understanding Society data.
- Company: Join University College London's Institute for Global Prosperity, a leader in innovative research.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and access to an on-site gym and nursery.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global prosperity through behavioural economics research.
- Qualifications: Training in behavioural economics or related fields with knowledge of scarcity and cognitive load.
The predicted salary is between 37162 - 43749 £ per year.
University College London is seeking a Research Assistant in Behavioural Economics to join the Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) in London. The successful candidate will focus on constructing and validating measures of cognitive load, mental health, and economic inactivity using Understanding Society data. This role involves testing measure consistency across population groups and contributing to the IGP’s Productivity Research Programme through reports and journal articles. Applicants should have training in behavioural economics, economics, or behavioural science, with specific knowledge of scarcity and cognitive load research.
The position offers a salary between £37,162 and £43,749, along with benefits including:
- 41 days of pro-rata holiday
- A pension scheme
- Access to an on-site gym and nursery
The Research Assistant will build the measures on which the project rests. The post holder will prepare the Understanding Society data, with the administrative and local data linked to it, and construct measures of cognitive load and mental health from existing survey items. They will also help construct and validate the Economic Inactivity Index and the extended SLI. These measures and their code are the base for the project’s econometric analysis and for its work with policy partners.
The project’s central mechanism is behavioural. Stacked insecurities are thought to wear down people’s capacity to work through cognitive overload, disrupted routines, and time diverted to managing insecurity. The post holder will work within a measurement framework set by the IGP Data Team and test whether the measures behave consistently across population groups and over time. The post holder will also contribute to IGP’s Productivity Research Programme, which draws on the same data, and to the project’s reports, working papers, and journal articles.
We are looking for a researcher trained in behavioural economics or a candidate trained in economics or behavioural science. The right candidate will know the research on scarcity and cognitive load and be able to judge what survey items can and cannot measure.
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and women.
Research Assistant in Behavioural Economics in London employer: Opportunita
Opportunita is an attractive employer due to its commitment to research excellence and professional development. Faculty members benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities to engage with industry partners, enhancing their academic careers.
