Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Development Economics
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About the role
Dr Kate Orkin on behalf of the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) at the Blavatnik School of Government and Department of Economics is looking for a postdoctoral research fellow with an interest in urban lab or markets in developing economies, particularly how to reduce search and matching frictions and increase firm demand for labour to increase employment, earnings and productivity. The fellow will both conduct their own research projects in this area and collaborate as a co-author on an ambitious series of projects in South Africa and Kenya, for which large-scale funding has been secured. There is also potential to be involved in policy work advising the South African government on design of unemployment services, if candidates are interested in more applied work.
The post is suitable for a candidate who has been awarded, or is nearing completion of, a doctoral degree, to conduct research in development economics for three years at CSAE, based at the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford. The successful candidate will ideally have experience with fieldwork, a strong technical background in data analysis, and potentially experience with relevant economic models (e.g. search and matching models). Their research should be related to the African continent, or on economic themes with direct relevance to it. Applicants originally from sub-Saharan Africa are strongly encouraged to apply.
This post is fixed term for 3 years. We expect the successful candidate to be able to start between 1 July and 1 September 2025.
About you
You will engage in original, world-class research of a quality commensurate with publication in leading international economics journal in an area relevant to the programme of research, both in collaboration with the principal investigators and independently, and present original research papers at international conferences and seminars. You will also contribute to and/or collaborate on other new and continuing research projects conducted by the Principal Investigators, with scope for new single authored and jointly authored research.
It is essential to hold a PhD or equivalent in economics, public policy, development studies with a focus on development economics. Candidates nearing completion of their doctoral dissertation may also be considered. Previous experience in designing and conducting lab and/or field experiments or research in developing countries or an alternative methodological expertise of relevance to the programme would be desirable.
Application process
Please upload a supporting statement that outlines how you meet the selection criteria in your own words, your CV and the details of three referees as part of your online application. Please also include your job market paper.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon (UK time) on Friday 14 March 2025.
