At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse agricultural commodities and contribute to economic forecasting and client research.
- Company: Join Oxford Economics, a leading global economic research firm.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in economics with real-world impact on agricultural markets.
- Qualifications: 1-3 years of experience in economics or related fields required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Oxford Economics, a world‑leading global economic research and consultancy firm, is seeking to appoint an Economist to join our Industry Subscriptions team, with a focus on agricultural and soft commodities. This is an exciting opportunity for an early‑career economist to contribute to Oxford Economics’ commodity forecasting, analysis, and client‑facing research, with a particular emphasis on agricultural commodity markets and economic activity in the agriculture sector.
The successful candidate will support the production of regular forecasts for agricultural and soft commodities, alongside analysis of the economic drivers affecting commodity prices, supply and demand, trade flows, production conditions, and sector activity. They will combine strong economics and analytical skills with clear communication, attention to detail, and an interest in translating data, market developments, and modelling outputs into practical insight for subscription clients.
This role would suit an economist with around 1–3 years of professional experience who is looking to develop their expertise in agricultural commodities, commodity price forecasting, sector analysis, modelling, and client‑facing economic research within a leading global economics business.
Key Responsibilities- Agricultural Commodity Forecasting & Analysis: Support the production, maintenance, and improvement of regular forecasts for agricultural and soft commodities, ensuring outputs are accurate, timely, analytically robust, and commercially relevant.
- Agriculture Sector Analysis: Analyse economic activity in the agriculture sector, including supply and demand conditions, production trends, trade flows, input costs, weather‑related risks, policy developments, and other drivers affecting agricultural commodity markets.
- Commodity Research & Client Insight: Contribute to written analysis, reports, briefings, presentations, and webinars covering agricultural commodity price developments, risks, outlooks, and implications for clients.
- Economic Modelling: Assist with the development and enhancement of commodity and sector forecasting models, using economic theory, statistical techniques, and data‑driven approaches to support forecast accuracy and analytical depth.
- Data Management & Interpretation: Work with economic, financial, agricultural, trade, and commodity market datasets to identify trends, assess developments, and generate meaningful insights for internal and external audiences.
- Client Support: Support the preparation of client‑facing materials and, over time, contribute to client meetings, webinars, and presentations by helping communicate commodity market analysis and forecasts clearly.
- Product & Methodology Development: Contribute to the ongoing development of Oxford Economics’ commodity and industry subscription products, including improvements to datasets, visualisations, methodologies, and analytical frameworks.
- Cross‑Team Collaboration: Work closely with economists, data specialists, editors, and commercial teams across Oxford Economics to support consistency, quality, and relevance across subscription outputs.
- Quality & Process Support: Help maintain high standards across team deliverables through careful checking, review, documentation, and continuous improvement of analytical processes.
- Around 1–3 years of professional experience in an economics‑focused role, ideally within commodity research, agricultural economics, economic research, forecasting, consulting, government, financial services, market analysis, or a corporate strategy environment.
- Strong academic background in economics, agricultural economics, commodities, finance, or a closely related discipline. A postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.
- Good understanding of macroeconomic analysis and commodity market drivers, including supply and demand, trade, production, inventories, input costs, exchange rates, inflation, policy developments, and business cycles.
- Some experience working with economic data, commodity market data, forecasting models, and quantitative analysis.
- Strong Excel skills, with exposure to EViews, R, Python, Stata, or similar analytical tools.
- Ability to interpret datasets and translate quantitative findings into clear, commercially relevant insight.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to contribute to economic commentary, reports, presentations, and client‑facing analysis.
- Clear verbal communication skills, with confidence discussing economic analysis with colleagues and, over time, external clients.
- High attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities under deadlines.
- Commercial awareness and an interest in how agricultural commodity markets, economic conditions, and sector trends affect business strategy, investment decisions, and policy.
- A proactive, collaborative approach, with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a wider team.
- Exposure to agricultural commodities, soft commodities, agricultural economics, commodity price forecasting, market intelligence, or subscription‑based economic research.
- Familiarity with agricultural markets such as grains, oilseeds, livestock, sugar, coffee, cocoa, cotton, or other soft commodities.
- Familiarity with input‑output analysis, econometric modelling, scenario analysis, or other applied economic modelling techniques.
- Experience creating charts, dashboards, or visual outputs using PowerPoint, Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools.
- Experience contributing to research outputs for clients, senior stakeholders, or external audiences.
Here are some of the benefits we offer in the UK to ensure you feel valued, supported, and thrive at work:
- Private Healthcare
- Employee Assistance Program
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Workplace Nursery Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Hybrid/Flexible Working
- Team Gatherings and Connection Boost!
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Oxford Economics is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
Economist - Agricultural Commodities in London employer: Oxford Economics
Oxford Economics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where early-career economists can thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides comprehensive benefits including private healthcare, enhanced parental leave, and flexible working arrangements, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Join us to contribute to impactful research in agricultural commodities while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Economist - Agricultural Commodities in London
✨Connect with Local Farmers and Co-ops
Don't underestimate the power of local connections in agriculture. Get involved in local farmers' markets or agricultural co-ops. These are great places to meet potential employers and get the inside scoop on job openings before they're even advertised.
✨Get Involved in Agricultural Events
Keep an eye out for agricultural fairs, conferences, and workshops in your area. These events are golden opportunities to network with industry professionals and showcase your passion. You might even stumble across job boards or companies actively looking to hire!
✨Volunteer for Relevant Experience
Consider volunteering with organisations focused on agriculture, sustainability, or community gardening. This not only boosts your CV but also expands your network. You never know who might be watching your hard work and dedication!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Listings at Industry-Specific Websites
Be sure to check out agriculture-focused job boards and websites regularly. Companies like Oxford Economics often post opportunities on their own sites before anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Apply directly through us to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Economist - Agricultural Commodities in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in agriculture, it's crucial to highlight any hands-on experience you have in farming, crop management, or sustainable practices. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're after, so be specific about the responsibilities you've had and any tools or techniques you've used.
Certifications Matter:In agriculture, relevant certifications can really give your application a boost. If you have any qualifications related to agricultural practices, pest management, or environmental regulations, make sure to mention them! They're great indicators of your commitment and expertise in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Agriculture Sector:Your CV should reflect your passion for agriculture. Structure it to emphasise your field experience and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills, like teamwork and communication, which are essential in this sector.
Passion is Key in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time position, we want to feel your enthusiasm for agriculture in your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to this industry and mention any long-term goals you have that align with what Oxford Economics does. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Economics
✨Get Familiar with Agricultural Technologies
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest agricultural technologies and tools that are commonly used in the field. Whether it’s precision farming tools or crop management software, being able to discuss these effectively during your interview with Oxford Economics will show that you're technically savvy and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Since agriculture is a hands-on industry, be prepared to share any practical experiences you've had. This could be through internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Discussing specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them can really impress the interviewers, especially in a full-time role at Oxford Economics.
✨Understand the Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic in agriculture right now, so it's important to understand current practices and regulations in the industry. Familiarise yourself with concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, and environmental impact. Having informed opinions on these topics can set you apart from other candidates during your interview.
✨Practice Common Industry Scenarios
Expect to tackle a few scenario-based questions that mimic real-life challenges in agriculture. For instance, you might be asked how you would handle a pest infestation or manage resources during a drought. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview with Oxford Economics.
