Research Assistant
University of Bath
Job Overview
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Job Description
About the Research Assistant Role
The University of Bath is seeking a 0.5 FTE Grade 6 Research Assistant for an 18-month ESRC-funded project, 'FINTRANS-UK: Financing Large-Scale British Transformations'. This project explores how Britain has historically funded large-scale endeavors, from wartime reconstruction to the contemporary Green Transition, by investigating public finance innovation and private capital mobilization.
Working closely with Dr. Andrei Guter-Sandu in the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies, the Research Assistant will be crucial to the project's empirical work.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct archival and documentary research in UK repositories like the Bank of England and The National Archives.
- Collect and organize qualitative and quantitative data on past and present financing arrangements.
- Assist in building and maintaining a structured database of key institutions and instruments.
- Support the production and dissemination of research outputs, including academic publications, policy briefs, and practitioner-facing pieces.
- Help develop visualizations and accessible presentations of project findings.
- Contribute to workshops and engagement activities.
- Shape specific empirical work strands in line with personal interests and experience.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role offers an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about the political economy of finance, energy and climate policy, economic history, or public policy to gain substantial research experience and develop a strong research profile in a high-policy relevance area. The successful candidate will join a supportive research environment at the University of Bath, benefiting from mentoring and development opportunities.
We are looking for a motivated and organized Research Assistant with a strong interest in the political economy of finance, energy and climate policy, economic history, or related fields. Candidates should have, or be near to completing, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., politics, international relations, economics, history); a Master’s degree is desirable but not essential. You should be comfortable with qualitative materials and documentary sources and willing to develop skills in systematic data collection, analysis, and visualization.
Essential qualities include good written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage work independently within deadlines. Experience with archival research, historical methods, qualitative analysis software, or basic data management (e.g., spreadsheets, databases) is advantageous, as is prior interest in Green Transition finance, critical macro-finance, or British economic history.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative research team while also demonstrating independent work capabilities. Above all, we seek a curious, reliable individual eager to contribute to an ambitious project on financing large-scale economic and social transformations.
What the University of Bath Offers
The University of Bath is committed to celebrating diversity and fostering an inclusive environment. We offer a wide range of benefits to support our employees' well-being and professional growth:
- Free counseling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme and Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discounts on gym membership, postgraduate tuition fees, and language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with 5 additional discretionary days
- Extensive personal and professional development opportunities, including Apprenticeships and LinkedIn Learning
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath and local discounts
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package
- Relocation allowance and visa reimbursement/interest-free loan for immigration expenses
The University values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds, particularly under-represented groups. We are a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader, and an autism-friendly university.
Key skills/competency
- Archival Research
- Data Collection
- Qualitative Analysis
- Quantitative Data Management
- Report Writing
- Academic Publication Support
- Policy Brief Development
- Data Visualization
- Project Coordination
- Economic History
How to Get Hired at University of Bath
- Research University of Bath's culture: Study their mission, values, recent news, and employee testimonials on LinkedIn and Glassdoor to understand their academic environment.
- Tailor your Research Assistant resume: Customize your CV to highlight relevant research experience, data handling skills, and interest in political economy or economic history, directly addressing the FINTRANS-UK project.
- Prepare for a research-focused interview: Be ready to discuss your experience with archival research, data analysis, and contributions to academic outputs, demonstrating your enthusiasm for the project’s specific themes.
- Showcase your collaborative spirit: Emphasize your ability to work effectively within a team while also managing independent tasks, aligning with the University of Bath’s collaborative research environment.
- Highlight your subject matter interest: Articulate a clear passion for the political economy of finance, green transition, or economic history, showing how your interests align with the FINTRANS-UK project's goals.
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