Postdoctoral Research Associate

Right to work: Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. 

Full-Time, Fixed-Term (17 months)

Applications are invited for the post of Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) in the Department of Economics.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join the research project “Labour markets and deep recessions”.

This project will use comprehensive administrative data from the social security system of Greece to study the evolution of the Greek labour market through expansion in the 2000s, deep recession in the early 2010s, and recovery in the late 2010s. The research will focus on three main questions. First, how do wages and employment evolve during different economic conditions and what role do labour market institutions—such as minimum wage laws and collective bargaining systems—play in shaping the adjustment to shocks? Second, does productivity growth recover after a major recession, or do disruptions to firm entry and business dynamism have persistent effects? Third, how do these shocks affect inequality across workers, especially with respect to income, job mobility, age, and gender?

The successful candidate will work closely with Prof. Manolis Galenianos as part of the research team. The role will involve contributing to the empirical and quantitative analysis of the project, including econometric analysis of the administrative data and the application of model-based tools to understand labour-market dynamics. This may include coding, simulation, numerical analysis, and estimation of economic models. The postdoctoral researcher will also contribute to the preparation and dissemination of research outputs, including academic papers and presentations. 

Prior experience with structural estimation or dynamic programming is welcome, but candidates with strong programming skills, solid econometric training, and an interest in learning model-based labour market analysis are also encouraged to apply. 

This is a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). 

The successful candidate will work 50% of their time directly on the project and 50% of the time on individual research, preferably in an area related to the grant.

The post is for 17 months, with an expected starting date of 1 September 2026. 

We welcome applications from candidates who meet most of the following criteria 

1. A PhD in Economics (completed or close to completion) with research interests in labour economics, macro-labour, applied microeconomics and related fields. 
2. Strong training in applied econometrics and experience conducting empirical research using micro-data. 
3. Experience working with large administrative datasets, preferably including matched employer-employee data.
4. Familiarity with numerical methods for solving and estimating dynamic models.
5. Programming skills in Matlab, Python, Julia, Fortran or a similar language at advanced level is a plus
6. Interest in quantitative economics modelling, including models of worker and firm behaviour, and labour market dynamics in general.
7. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team, managing tasks and deadlines effectively under general supervision.
8. Experience preparing research outputs for academic, or policy audiences is desirable. 

 In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact the project PI, Manolis Galenianos on manolis.galenianos@rhul.ac.uk.

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk.

Please quote the reference: 0526-150

Closing Date: 23:59, 17 June 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page.