Research Assistants – Housing & Macroeconomics

The Institute

The ESRI, founded in 1960, is based in Dublin’s South Docklands area. Our mission is to produce high quality research, relevant to Ireland’s economic and social development, with the aim of contributing to knowledge and informing policymaking and public debate. We have over 100 staff including economists, sociologists and other social scientists, in addition to support and technical staff.

The Role

The successful candidates will work as part of a team carrying out research on the Irish macroeconomy with a specific focus on issues relating to short term macroeconomic forecasting, macroeconomic surveillance, housing and credit markets. The researchers will work with the ESRI team to address housing and credit related issues both from a macro and a micro level perspective. The successful candidates in the positions will also be required to maintain and update a number of different housing indices, which the Institute produces on a quarterly basis, as well as contributing to the Institute’s Quarterly Economic Commentary. Candidates with interests in other research areas are invited to apply as additional RA opportunities may arise in the coming months.

The Housing & Macroeconomics RAs will be involved as key team members in several stages of research, including:

• Data management and preparation;
• Analysis of both aggregate and micro data;
• Applying econometric modelling;
• Writing up the analysis for peer-reviewed articles;
• Presenting research at seminars and conferences;

Qualifications & Experience - Across Both Roles

• MA or MSc in Economics;
• Willingness to work across topic areas in housing, macroeconomics and banking;
• Strong quantitative skills including proven ability to use up-to-date statistical techniques;
• Understanding of and experience in microeconometrics such as cross section and panel data analysis;
• Experience/training in the use of microdata such as household, firm or spatial data;
• Macroeconomic data skills and macroeconomic analysis experience/training;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• The ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines;
• The ability to work successfully as part of a team and independently;
• Previous experience of conducting applied research will be an advantage.

Research Assistants at the ESRI

Since the mid-1960s over 150 of the most talented graduates in economics and sociology in Ireland have participated in the ESRI’s Research Assistant programme. Many of these alumni have gone on to undertake PhDs at some of the world’s top universities, and have subsequently taken up academic posts, while others have risen to senior positions in major Irish and international institutions in the business, financial and public sectors.

The Economic Analysis Research Assistantship programme is of two years’ duration and is aimed at candidates who have recently completed a relevant Master’s programme. Participants will receive dedicated supervision and appropriate additional training, such as media skills training, research methods training, time management and presentation skills. On completion of the programme, Research Assistants will have acquired excellent skills which may be applied to PhD research or to research positions in the public and private sectors. Further information can be found here .

Location

ESRI, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2. Applicants should note that staff have the option of working remotely from their home in Ireland on a ‘blended’ basis with a minimum requirement of one day per week (or as business requires) based in the ESRI office. The arrangement will run on a pilot basis for up to a year. Full details will be provided at interview.

Terms & Application Procedure

The role is full-time (35 hours per week - standard working hours are 09.30-17.30, Monday – Friday; flexible working hours are supported). Appointments will be on a three-year, fixed-term contract basis and starting salary will be €38,369, which is the first point of the ESRI Administrative Officer Standard salary scale.

The ESRI is currently conducting selection processes via videoconference (MS Teams or Zoom).

To apply for this position please follow the link below. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 16 July 2024. All applications will be acknowledged. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.

The ESRI is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to accommodating the needs of people with disabilities to enable them to participate in the selection process. Please let us know if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to take into account when considering your application.