Research Associate, El-Erian Institute of Behavioural Economics and Public Policy (Fixed Term)

Cambridge Judge Business School combines academic excellence with real world impact to transform individuals, organisations, and society. Since 1990, it has built a strong reputation for rigorous thinking and genuinely transformative education as part of one of the world's leading research universities.

For a new transdisciplinary Horizon Europe project, we are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher or an experienced Research Assistant, ideally with experience of EU or similar international projects. The project focuses on transitions to the circular economy in clothing, mobility, electronics, and food packaging, with a particular emphasis on behavioural interventions and the consumer interface.

The candidate will work closely with the PI (the Director of the El-Erian Institute) and the Cambridge team within a multinational consortium of researchers, companies, and societal institutions. They will be responsible for conducting empirical and conceptual research, including co-designing and testing pilot interventions. They will also be tasked with writing up reports and intervention designs and communicating with the other project partners throughout. The position also allows for gaining experience in large project management. There is ample opportunity to publish in high-level journals.

The ideal candidate has an excellent publication record, including literature reviews (ideally with experience using AI tools for evidence synthesis and an understanding of how such processes can be automated), field experiments, qualitative and quantitative analyses of consumer needs, behavioural barriers and drivers, and experience of delivering interventions for behavioural change. Strong training in experimental and quantitative methods, including experience with SPSS, STATA, R or Python, an understanding of multivariate statistics and causal modelling, and ideally experience with running models using cloud infrastructure, would be highly desirable. We are seeking a behavioural economist, cognitive psychologist, or someone with a similar disciplinary background who has a keen interest in the circular economy.

The position comes with membership of Queens' College, Cambridge.

Please submit your online application form along with a cover letter, your CV, a statement covering your research and teaching expertise, a job market paper (or another signature publication of yours), and the names and contact details of two referees. Two references will be requested for candidates who are shortlisted for an interview.

The funds for this post are available for 3 years.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal queries may be directed to hrsupport@jbs.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference NS49363 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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Key information

Department/location
Judge Business School

Salary
£37,694-£46,049

Reference
NS49363

Category
Research

Date published
9 April 2026

Closing date
30 April 2026