Research Economist / Tax and Benefit Modeller

Institute for Fiscal Studies
London - United Kingdom
S: £45,000

Purpose of job: Research Economist to lead and manage improvements and extensions to the IFS's tax and benefit micro-simulation model (TAXBEN).

Contract: two years in the first instance
Further information

TAXBEN is a micro-simulation model of the UK tax and benefit system maintained and used by IFS researchers to analyse the effects of tax and benefit policy on households. Given a set of household characteristics, it calculates the net income of that household under tax and benefit systems (actual or hypothetical) specified by the user. The model is set up to run on large-scale representative samples of UK households such as the Family Resources Survey. From timely high-profile analysis of policy announcements to academic papers published in top journals, TAXBEN has underpinned much of IFS’ work for many years.

The key purpose of this role is to drive forward improvements and extensions to the model. This is likely to include additional features of the tax and benefit system (e.g. wealth taxes), incorporation of new datasets, and better integration with behavioural models. The successful candidate will also work with colleagues on specific research projects which use the model, and there may be opportunities to be involved with other modelling and research at IFS such as our tax and benefit micro-simulation for developing countries.

In the first instance this will be a two-year appointment, with extension beyond that dependent on the individual and on future opportunities. We would welcome a candidate who has the potential to develop the role and have a longer-term career at the IFS, working as an economist on a range of projects and extending our capacity to do exciting new research in the area of tax and benefit policy and its effects.

Key areas of responsibility

* Leading the process of identifying strategic priorities for TAXBEN in order to maximise its contribution to IFS's research agenda, in close consultation with senior colleagues and other TAXBEN users at IFS.
* Playing the lead role in implementing changes to programming code (TAXBEN is currently coded in Delphi). The details will depend on the strategic priorities agreed upon, but will include the kinds of improvements and extensions described above, as well as rationalising code and fixing bugs.
* Engaging with colleagues throughout about substantive programming decisions and ensuring they are thoroughly informed about progress and the operation of the improved program. This should include frequent meetings involving all users.
* Clearly and thoroughly documenting the program, how it has been modified and how to use it.
* Managing and coordinating the delegation of programming tasks to colleagues, accounting for their relative expertise and capacity, helping them where necessary, and ensuring that their changes have been properly documented and version-controlled.

Person specification

* A First or a very good Upper Second Class Honours degree and/or a higher degree, in economics or a closely-related subject.
* Interest in, and preferably experience of, working on applied economics or public policy issues alongside other professionals.
* Experience of editing and/or building complex programs used by others, ideally in an object-oriented program such as Python, C++ or Delphi and ideally in a context where large and complex datasets are used.
* Ability to manage complex projects, and preferably experience of doing so.
* Ability to communicate complex ideas rigorously but in plain, clear language, and a willingness to do so proactively: explanation of programs to others (in both written and verbal form) is a core function of this role.
* Existing knowledge of the UK tax and benefit system would be ideal (alternatively, knowledge of another country's system would be helpful); a willingness to learn about it where necessary is essential.
* Ability to work proactively and independently. We are looking for someone who not only can work to a brief but can help us to hone and extend that brief.

Job summary