Economic Research Assistant

About Us

Across the FT Group, our people are united by a mission to deliver world-class information, news and services to our global audiences. We're a digital-first organisation made up of journalists, technologists, product managers, event planners, strategists, commercial and finance experts, marketing and communications specialists - and much more. Our strength is in our employees.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The Role

FT Locations is a specialist division of the Financial Times Ltd, established to provide industry-leading insights into globalisation with a portfolio of world-class products and services that assist both companies and economic development organisations to make informed decisions regarding foreign direct investment (FDI).

fDi Benchmark is a unique online database and location assessment tool which assesses the attractiveness of countries and cities worldwide for specific sectors and investment projects. It provides instant access to the latest high quality, comparable data and powerful business case making tools.

The Economics Research Assistant will work as part of the FT Locations team conducting in-depth research on economic factors; identifying and collecting key economic data and recording the information into the fDi Benchmark database.

Key Responsibilities

• Input and maintain accurate economic data within the fDi Benchmark database.

• Research economic factors influencing investment decisions and identify key data sources.

• Conduct in-depth economic analysis by region, sector and project.

• Support the sales team with tailored data insights.

• Assist with ad-hoc research and production tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

• 2:1 or higher degree in a business, economics, or statistics-related discipline.

• Excellent research and analytical skills.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office tools.

• Self-starter with strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Highly organised and able to prioritise workloads effectively.

• Collaborative team player with a proactive attitude.

Desirable

• Understanding of economic globalisation and cross-border investment.

• Previous experience in desk-based research or database management.

• Analytical and report writing capabilities.

What’s in it for You?

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Further Information

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Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.
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