IFS offers several placements each summer to economics students who are interested in how microeconomics can be applied to public policy issues and who are considering a career in economic research.
Annual recruitment round for summer student placements runs every autumn with application deadline in January.
Placements are intended to give a taste of research work at IFS similar to that done by newly-recruited permanent research staff. As such, the work is most likely to be appropriate for individuals currently studying for undergraduate or masters degrees. During the placement, a Summer Student might typically expect to work for an IFS research team on tasks such as reviewing existing literature, preparing and analysing data, and writing up research results.
We welcome applications from those in their penultimate or final year of an undergraduate degree with a strong economics component and from those studying towards a master’s degree in economics. Suitable candidates will be selected on the basis of a short interview, which will take place at our offices in central London.
Undergraduates should be expecting to obtain a first-class degree, and we would generally expect those currently studying for a master’s degree to have a first-class undergraduate degree with a strong economics component. They should have a strong grasp of basic economic concepts, as well as the ability to apply these to practical policy issues. Much of IFS research involves the analysis of data, and applicants are therefore expected to have a high degree of numeracy. However, please note that familiarity with specific mathematical and statistical techniques and computer packages used in applied economics is not a prerequisite.
Overseas students may be appointed subject to being eligible to work in the UK. However, no additional funds are provided to help with travel to the UK or subsistence. IFS cannot sponsor visas for summer placements.
If you have any queries, please email [email protected] or contact Delina Petiros at IFS on 020 7291 4800.