Environmental Economist

Cefas is developing and expanding its socio-economic capability.  This post holder will contribute environmental economics research to a comprehensive portfolio of UK and international programmes. For example, conducting, and providing advice on, economic and statistical analyses on study design for survey-based methods to value coastal and marine ecosystem services and related econometric analyses, as well as on natural capital accounting ; collect and model quantitative socio-economic data, sometimes coupled with marine biophysical data, ensuring high data quality and recording standards; support and/or facilitate workshops (including for capacity building) and interviews in the UK and overseas; communicate your work in writing through reports and peer-reviewed papers in high impact factor journals, and orally with presentations at relevant conferences and/or workshops.

The core team of Cefas’ economists undertake interdisciplinary research and provide advice largely in support of Defra’s coastal and marine environment policies and natural capital assessment, but also participate in national (UK) and internationally funded research projects, collaborating with academia (especially with the University of East Anglia and CSERGE), and other research institutes. Their research focuses on the valuation, accounting and management of coastal and marine natural capital and ecosystem services in UK and abroad, especially UK’s Commonwealth Countries and Overseas Territories.

We welcome flexible working and are open to a hybrid approach of working from home and in an office. 

Main duties and responsibilities for this post include:

• Leading research to improve the valuation and accounting of the coastal and marine natural capital;
• Contributing to the development and application of econometric tools in an interdisciplinary setting working with Cefas’ natural and social scientists, including econometric experimental design studies (e.g. stated and revealed preference techniques);
• Communicating research in writing (e.g. publications in high-quality scientific journals) and verbally (e.g. presentations, policy briefings); and
• Seeking new business opportunities and writing research proposals for future grant applications within Cefas and with broader national and international consortia, including academia.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

• Proven statistical and econometrics background;
• Relevant research experience in environmental and/or ecological economics;
• Good understanding of economic theory (applied to environmental economics) and the data challenges associated with its analysis in an interdisciplinary setting (e.g. within biological and ecological systems);
• Being flexible, able to adapt to various activities and commitments at the same time, with the ability to work as part of a team, but also unsupervised to organise own work to meet deadlines;
• Good communication skills verbally and written; and
• Previous experience leading the publication of peer-reviewed papers.

Academic qualification required for this Cefas Pay Band 6 post is a PhD (or currently undertaking) in environmental economics or related fields of work (e.g., statistics, ecological economics). However, demonstrating having relevant work experience at that level as outlined in this job description will be considered.

BENEFITS

• Generous Annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
• Access to learning and development tailored to your role
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme. Very favourable package, contributions are more than matched by employer – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
• Staff Recognition vouchers
• In-year recognition scheme (monetary amounts up to max £2000 possible)

For full details and to apply online please go to Civil Service Jobs 

Closing date for applications is 23:55 14 November 2022