Job Specifications
About The Role
For informal enquiries, please contact Chris Warhurst, IER Director at c.warhurst@warwick.ac.uk
The Institute for Employment Research (IER) is seeking to appoint an outstanding Research Fellow to contribute to developing and enhancing its reputation as an internationally leading, multi-disciplinary research-only institute. It is an opportunity for a researcher who wants to make a difference to be involved in policy-relevant research.
Research Fellows have the opportunity to gain experience in designing and conducting research projects and in disseminating findings. IER’s research tends to be team-based but all researchers are encouraged to develop their own research interests.
Candidates with interests in any of the Institute’s diverse fields of research are encouraged to apply. IER’s research themes can be seen here: Warwick IER - Research
Flexible Working
We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.
About You
You will have a PhD or equivalent relevant research experience in the economic or social sciences. You will have established qualitative research skills, with mixed methods research experience, and some understanding of quantitative research methods. You will also have knowledge of employment and labour market research and related policy.
You will have appropriate research and publications in your field and will want to publish in the highest quality academic journals. It will be advantageous to have some experience of dissemination activities with different stakeholders: academic and otherwise.
You will be comfortable in a multi-disciplinary research environment and be able to undertake research both as part of a team and independently.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
About The Department
IER has a strong international reputation for its research on employment and labour markets. IER is a self-funded department within the Faculty of Social Sciences at Warwick.
It delivers high-quality research, externally funded by a range of public and private sector organisations and research councils, with its findings disseminated to academic, policy and practitioner communities. It has extensive engagement with government and business and civil society organisations and trade unions.
IER expects and supports equality, diversity and inclusion, reflected in its Athena SWAN Bronze Award and evaluation which described “an Institute that really cares about its staff and student communities.” IER welcomes applications from all sections of the community and seeks to build a diverse and inclusive workplace.
We particularly encourage applications from individuals whose perspectives and experiences are often under-represented in academic and research settings, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, those who have faced socio-economic disadvantage, and people with caring responsibilities. We recognise that career paths are not always linear.
Applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken career breaks will be given equal consideration. Employment gaps may reflect a wide range of personal, caring or health-related circumstances and will not disadvantage applicants during selection. IER takes active steps to ensure recruitment processes are fair, accessible and transparent, and will make reasonable adjustments at all stages.
Further information about working at the University of Warwick, including information about childcare provision, career development and relocation is at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/workinghere/.
About The University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025
Research Excellence Framework 2021
How to Apply
CLOSING DEADLINE: Monday 2nd February 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)
To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.
Your CV Should Include
Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).
Your Cover Letter Should Explain
Your motivations for apply
About the Company
We're a world-leading university with the highest academic and research standards. But we're not letting the story end there. That's because we're a place of possibility. We're always looking for new ways to make things happen. And our students, alumni and staff are consistently making an impact - the kind that changes lives, whether close to home or on a global scale. It's the achievements of our people that help explain why our levels of research excellence and scholarship are recognised internationally. It's a prime attra...
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