The University of St Andrews Business School invites applications for the position of Senior Lecturer or Reader in Economics and Public Policy. The successful candidate will join the Business School at an exciting time. The newly launched School is the largest in the University, building on the University's rich heritage and the legacy of the leading Schools of Economics and Finance and Management, whose merger created it. Its mission is to develop globally-minded leaders with the ambition, knowledge and skills to create a more prosperous and sustainable world. Within the University of St Andrews Business School, Economics ranked second of all UK institutions in The Guardian University Guide 2026.
The successful candidate will be a scholar with an international research reputation who can contribute to the School's world-leading and interdisciplinary research agenda. The candidate will successfully publish research in premier economics and policy journals, attract research funding or other financial support, and promote knowledge exchange to strengthen the School's reputation for academic excellence. The candidate must also be an excellent teacher, capable of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students from diverse backgrounds. Applications from candidates who bring professional policy experience, whether from government service, international organisations, or other policy-making institutions are welcomed. The successful candidate will also actively engage in purposeful partnerships with academic, public, private, and third-sector organisations to drive research impact and enhance the student experience.
The position is open to scholars in any broadly defined area of policy-relevant applied microeconomics. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in public finance, health and healthcare, inequality, crime, or environmental policy, but will seriously consider all candidates whose research informs policy decisions. The successful candidate will be expected to teach on the Master of Public Policy (MPP), including core modules in economics and econometric methods, and option modules in their area of expertise. Candidates who can credibly teach applications of machine learning for policy analysis are especially desired, as are candidates who research developing countries.
The St Andrews MPP programme will welcome its first cohort in August 2026 and is focused on data analysis and policy evaluation. It is unique in the United Kingdom in being situated in a Department of Economics and a Business School. In addition to contributing to the development of the MPP, successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a new research institute for policy studies.
Candidates will hold a PhD in Economics or a cognate discipline.
For further information and informal enquiries about the post, please contact Professor David A. Jaeger, Director of the Master of Public Policy Programme (david.jaeger@st-andrews.ac.uk), Professor Conny Wollbrant, Head of the Department of Economics (conny.wollbrant@st-andrews.ac.uk), or Professor Mark Brewer, Dean of the Business School (BSchoolDean@st-andrews.ac.uk).
St Andrews offers more than just a place to work—it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.
In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Senior Lecturer or Reader in Economics and Public Policy includes:
- Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility)
- Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions of 14.5%
- A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance
- Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
- Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
- Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
- 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.
To apply, visit https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/1965/0/464482/889/senior-lecturer-or-reader-in-economics-ac2677. (See posting for details.)