Readership in Econometrics
Job Vacancy No: JH07829
The Faculty of Economics in Cambridge seeks applications for a Readership in Econometrics
which is a permanent senior position and is available from 1 September 2016. Candidates
should have an internationally established academic reputation for excellence in research and a
proven capacity to take a leadership role.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate evidence of international recognition and excellence in
research/scholarship with reference to originality, contribution to the advancement of knowledge
and reputation; the successful candidate will be expected to publish in the best international
journals and must have a proven capacity to take a leadership role. It is envisaged that the
successful applicant will play a leading role in the research programme of the Faculty.
The Faculty of Economics
The Faculty is one of the largest in the country, with thirty-eight full-time teaching officers,
including twelve Professors. Nine Faculty members are Fellows of the British Academy, seven
are Fellows of the Econometric Society, and one is a Fellow of the Royal Society. The Faculty’s
Professorial establishment is currently:
G. Corsetti (Professor of Macroeconomics)
R.A. Evans (Professor of Economic Theory
S. Goyal (Professor of Economics)
C.J. Harris (Professor of Economics)
A. Lawson (Professor of Economics and Philosophy)
O. Linton (Professor of Political Economy)
H.W. Low (Professor of Economics)
K. Munshi (Frank Ramsey Professor of Economics)
S.C. Ogilvie (Professor of Economic History)
H. Sabourian (Professor of Economics and Game Theory)
R.J. Smith (Professor of Econometric Theory and Economic Statistics)
C. Teulings (Montague Burton Professor of Industrial Relations and Labour Economics)
Other senior members of the Faculty include:
W. Brown (Professor Emeritus)
Sir Partha Dasgupta (Professor Emeritus)
A.C. Harvey (Professor Emeritus)
D.M.G. Newbery (Professor Emeritus)
M.H. Pesaran (Professor Emeritus)
Research
The Faculty has a vibrant research environment with regular seminars in microeconomics,
macroeconomics and econometrics and additionally more specialized seminars reflecting the
research interests of Faculty members. Economists based in Cambridge are encouraged to
initiate and take part in Faculty research projects. Many externally funded research projects
operate within the Faculty.
The recent receipt of substantial funds has enabled the Faculty to establish the Cambridge-INET
Institute. The objects and purpose of the Institute are to act as a global centre of excellence for
fundamental research in economics and a hub of a global network and endeavour to share best
D:\116096109.doc
practice. The four research themes of the Institute are Networks, crowds and markets;
Transmission mechanisms and economic policy; Information, uncertainty and incentives;
Empirical analysis of financial markets.
The Keynes Fund for Applied Economics was launched in the Faculty in response to the world
financial crisis of 2008 and its continuing economic consequences. Its purpose is to provide
grants for research, fellowships and teaching at the intersection of financial markets with the real
economy of employment, production and consumption with particular focus on capital market
mispricing, the design of incentive systems and mechanisms to reduce the incidence and
significance of institutional or general economic failure as well as responsive public policies.
2014 Research Excellence Framework
In terms of research output, 55% of the Faculty’s research work was rated as "World Leading"
and a further 39% classed as "Internationally Excellent". This puts the Faculty in 2nd place
across the UK for research output.
To create an overall score, the quality of research outputs is combined with an assessment of the
non-academic impact of research (where we were 6th) and an assessment of the research
environment (8th). This creates a "GPA". Our overall GPA is 3.42, and this puts us in 4th place,
behind UCL, LSE and Oxford.
The Faculty of Economics at Cambridge has a small faculty compared to the other top 5
economics departments in the UK. For this reason we focus on the quality of our submission,
rather than looking at measures that multiply quality by the number of full-time equivalents: not
surprisingly, our small size means the total quantity of research is smaller than our competitors in
the top 5.
Our results reflect the strong performance of the University of Cambridge at large. The
University's own statement on the REF results can be found here:
http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/research-excellence-framework-confirms-cambridgesglobal-strength-and-depth-in-research
Details of the REF outcomes across the UK are available at: http://www.ref.ac.uk
Teaching in the Faculty of Economics
In the most recent HEFCE Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education audit, the Faculty was
awarded a total of 24 points out of 24, having been rated with full marks in all aspects of teaching
provision.
Roughly 170 undergraduates are admitted each year to read for the three year Economics
Tripos. Competition for entry is stiff: only students with the top grades in A level examinations are
admitted.
The Faculty has an active graduate programme. There are MPhil programmes in Economics and
Economic research with the MPhil in Finance and Economics introduced in academic year 201213. There is also a one-year Diploma in Economics which together with the above one-year
MPhil programmes constitutes a two year masters programme. Approximately 100 students are
admitted to the MPhils in Economics and Economic Research, 25 to the MPhil in Finance and
Economics and 25 students to the Diploma each year. MPhil students are drawn from a pool of
more than 800 applicants from all over the world. Around 15 students are also admitted into the
PhD programme each year.
D:\116096109.doc
Computing Facilities and Libraries
The Austin Robinson Building has excellent computing facilities, an outstanding library (the
Marshall Library) and the University copyright library nearby.
Other Economists in Cambridge
Economists are also based in the Department of Geography, the Department of Land Economy,
the Judge Business School and in the ESRC Centre for Business Research. The Colleges
employ over a dozen economists as full-time teaching and research fellows.
College Fellowships
Lecturers in the Faculty may also be appointed to College Teaching Fellowships, although there
is no obligation to offer or accept such appointments. Teaching Fellows organise, and offer,
undergraduate supervisions (teaching in small groups). Separate payment is made for this work
(usually in the range £3,500 to £10,000 per annum). In addition Fellows may receive benefits in
kind including meals and a room in college. Appointments to College Fellowships are made by
the colleges themselves and not by the Faculty of Economics.
Procedure for Appointment
All appointments to University offices are subject to the Statutes and Ordinances of the
University.
Further information and the generic role profile for a Reader at Cambridge may be obtained from
Vacancies page on the Faculty’s web site at http://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/
Shortlisted candidates may be requested to visit Cambridge to give a short seminar presentation
on an aspect of their current research and to meet Faculty members. Subsequently candidates
may then be invited to attend for formal interview by the Faculty Appointments Committee.
Applications
Applications should include:





curriculum vitae;
outline of research plans;
full list of publications;
three sample pieces of major work;
teaching and research interests.
Three letters of reference will be sought upon receipt of application.
To submit an application for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply online’ button at the bottom
of the advertisement page. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System,
where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing
the online application form. The deadline for applications is 14 February 2016.
Queries may be directed to the Secretary of the Appointments Committee
econappt@hermes.cam.ac.uk
The name change of this Readership to “Reader in Econometrics” is subject to University
approval.
Informal enquiries can be addressed to Professor Sanjeev Goyal (email sg472@cam.ac.uk).
D:\116096109.doc
Please quote reference JH07829 on your application and in any correspondence about this
vacancy.
Terms and Conditions
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake teaching (which may be in the form of
lectures, seminars and classes) and will also be expected to act as an examiner, as directed by
the Faculty Board. They will also be expected to undertake research with a view to publication
in the best international journals and to undertake administrative tasks as directed by the Faculty
Board. The Readership is a tenured position.
The current pensionable stipend is £58,754 (Reader, University Grade 11, Point 63). In
exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to offer a supplement to the salary stated for this
role of up to £26,246 for five years in the first instance. Any such supplement would be awarded
on the basis of a demonstrable history of outstanding achievement and an expected future level
of contribution and is entirely at the discretion of the University.
Recruitment Incentive Payment
The University has a scheme whereby in appropriate cases a lump sum recruitment incentive
payment may be made on appointment.
Relocation Expenses
If a person appointed is not resident in Cambridge, a contribution may be made from University
funds towards expenditure incurred in relocation to Cambridge to take up a University office.
The University as an Employer
The University offers a range of benefits including attractive pension schemes, family friendly
policies, health and welfare provision and staff discounts. Information about the University of
Cambridge as an employer can be found at www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/staff-guide/
Information on employee benefits can be found at
www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/benefits/
Equal Opportunities
The University of Cambridge is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of
opportunity and to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and
encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity.
The full statement of the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Codes of Practice can be
found at: www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/policy/equal.html
D:\116096109.doc