Research Associate - Wales Productivity Forum
The Productivity Institute brings together experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, working directly with policymakers and businesses to better understand, measure, and enable improvements in productivity across the UK, with the aim to improve living standards and well‑being.
About the role
The Wales Productivity Forum is looking to recruit a fixed‑term research associate to support the work of the forum by undertaking and disseminating research on Wales’ Productivity Challenge. The role involves literature reviews, data analysis, report writing and dissemination activities, including supporting forum meetings as appropriate. The full‑time role (35 hours per week) is immediately available on a fixed‑term basis until 31 August 2026.
Responsibilities
* Conduct research on Wales’ productivity challenge and contribute to the research performance of the Productivity Institute and Cardiff University through measurable outputs, including funding bids, publications, and dissemination.
* Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, including research funding proposals.
* Attend and present at conferences and seminars at a local and national level as required.
* Perform administrative tasks associated with the Wales Productivity Forum, including planning and organising forum meetings and ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
* Prepare research ethics and governance applications as appropriate.
* Review and synthesize existing research literature within the field.
* Participate in School and Institute research activities.
* Build and create networks internally and externally to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.
* Engage with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions, regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the Forum profile, cultivate alliances and pursue collaboration opportunities.
* Undertake personal and professional development to enhance performance.
* Participate in Productivity Institute administration and activities to promote the Institute and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
* Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion/submission) in economics or a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
* Established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within Regional economics and/or the Welsh economy, and the drivers of productivity.
* Knowledge of current status of research in a specialist field.
* Proven ability to publish in national/international journals, conferences and other research outputs.
* Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to develop applications to funding bodies.
* Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
* Ability to supervise work and motivate others.
* Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team‑working within work.
* Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Desirable Criteria
* Evidence of collaborations with industry and/or policymakers.
* Proven ability to adapt to changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
* Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance research activities of the Productivity Institute and School.
Additional Information
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Employment type: Full‑time. Working hours: 35 hours per week. Date posted: 23 October 2025. Closing date: 20 November 2025.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved by attracting, developing and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. Flexible working or job share arrangements may be discussed.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA); in hiring and promotion decisions we evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published.
Please read the full job description and contact Professor Melanie Jones at jonesm116@cardiff.ac.uk or visit https://www.productivity.ac.uk/regions-nations/wales-regional-forum/ for more information.
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