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Ecorys is an international world-class research-based consultancy that helps our clients make a positive impact on society. We are leaders in research and evaluation, project management and communications providing the evidence and advice that our clients need to tackle the issues that affect communities around the world. Our 600 staff are justifiably proud of our innovative and thought-provoking contributions to policy and programme delivery. We are passionate about our environmental and social impact, donating profits to the Charity of the Year, volunteering days, and are committed to being carbon neutral by 2030.
We were recently appointed as one of Defra’s strategic partners to supply monitoring and evaluation services, and growing our work in the environmental sector is a key priority.
What you will be doing
Our Policy and Research team is currently looking for emerging research talent to join our team of 100+ research and evaluation specialists delivering impactful work across a variety of clients.
For our growing environmental market, we are looking for Research Assistants to support our delivery of work to a variety of clients including qualitative and quantitative research studies, evaluations, impact assessments, supporting expert groups and networks, and monitoring.
We are particularly looking for early-career researchers with an interest and knowledge of environmental policy (e.g., nature recovery, net zero, climate change, green finance, Just Transition, rural development) but additional expertise in other policy areas would be a bonus.
As a Research Assistant, you will develop and apply your range of quantitative and qualitative research skills, including desk-based research, literature reviews, survey design and implementation, in-depth interviewing, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. You will also become familiar with research analysis software such as Excel, NVivo, SPSS, Stata and/or R.
As you develop in the role, you will have the opportunity to grow your client-facing experience. You may also be able to develop a specialisation into qualitative or quantitative methodologies. There is also the prospect for some travel when permitted.
Over the last few years, our Research Assistants have been exposed to a broad range of environmental projects for the UK government and international foundations to evaluate a range of programmes that focus on the inter-relationship between the environment, society and the economy. As well as embedding technical learning and development, this has enabled and supported a progression path to Research Manager and further progression within Ecorys.
In 2024 we are looking for emerging research talent to work in our UK offices in Birmingham and Leeds. We are looking for successful candidates to join us as soon as possible starting potentially from June onwards.
Your continued development will be supported by career development planning, training, mentoring and regular reviews, and you will be supported by a dedicated Line Manager and a buddy.
What we will need from you
- Ideally you will have a good Undergraduate or a Master’s Degree (including mid-studies or currently applying for) in environmental science, social research, international development, geography, statistics, maths or economics, research methods and related subjects or equivalent work experience.
- To be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the businesses’ key environmental, social and economic policy areas.
- Experience of researching or evaluating to produce report results in a variety of written and verbal styles.
- To be able to manage project delivery within tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience of undertaking qualitative research, including conducting in depth interviews face to face or by phone, and note-taking or moderating of focus groups
- Experience of undertaking quantitative research including designing, analysing and writing up findings from survey data, and other data sets
- Excellent English language skills both verbal and written are essential. Other language capabilities are desirable.
- Take ownership of problems and escalate in a timely manner and to be receptive to change and be prepared to try new things out
- To be able to manage own tasks and be able to prioritise own workload to meet team needs
- To demonstrate excellent organisational and administrative skills
- To become familiar with the research analysis software SPSS / Stata and or R and assist other staff in producing tables and cross tabulations of survey data.
We offer a highly competitive benefits package including variable pay (bonus), share scheme and buying and selling annual leave.
