Research careers

Help shape the future of the economy, financial services industry, and regulation in the UK

Apply your technical skills to real world economic questions

Our research function is wide ranging with many opportunities to work across regulatory, monetary and financial stability research projects. 

Researchers at the Bank of England have access to unique datasets and an ample research library. You can use our facilities to explore critical issues facing the UK economy. You will also have opportunities to be involved in external debates and to be published in top economic and finance journals like:

  • The American Economic Review, 
  • Review of Economic Studies, 
  • Journal of Financial Economics 
  • Review of Financial Studies 

You can potentially also publish work in  leading science and interdisciplinary journals like Nature Communications, and our own blog Bank Underground.

Our researchers come from all over the world - bringing with them a wealth of varied perspectives. We value a collaborative environment where colleagues can continually develop through world class conferences, seminars, academic visits and by working alongside policymakers.  
 
If you are interested in working with us, please explore our current research job vacancies. You can also watch our Chief Economist Huw Pill talk about why this is a great place to start or build a career as a researcher.

Watch a recording of our 2024 information session and Q&A with Huw Pill (Chief Economist), Misa Tanaka (Head of Research), Andreas Joseph (Research Economist) and Katie Ling (Future Talent Lead – PhD), who discuss career opportunities for PhD researchers.

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How to apply

We hire researchers annually, during the autumn, across two programmes: PhD Research Programme (for recent PhD graduates) and PhD Internships. See 'Our research programmes' below for more information, including how to apply to these programmes.

We advertise roles that are suitable for more experienced researchers throughout the year as and when the need arises on our careers portal.

  • This programme is for recent PhD graduates with a desire to carry out and publish innovative, policy-relevant research, and to contribute to live central bank policymaking.

    • length of contract: Three-year programme, leading to in a permanent position
    • start date: flexible
    • location: London offices (hybrid)
    • salary: £60,000, as well as our comprehensive benefits package

    This is for you if you hold (or expect to complete by end-2025) a PhD in any subject relevant to central bank policymaking.

    We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

    What to expect

    This is a permanent position, of which the first three years are spent on the programme. 

    Researchers on the programme work in one of our policy areas, and spend at least 50% of their time producing, publishing and disseminating research that is relevant to the Bank of England’s policy and research agendas. 

    Our large community includes researchers from a range of disciplines, with a common interest in issues relevant to central bank and public policymaking. 

    Our economists enjoy a rich and stimulating environment, have close engagement with policymakers and make a key contribution to policy analysis. 

    How you could develop

    We offer excellent training opportunities to expand researchers’ technical skills and knowledge and to help them develop the skills to maximise the policy impact of their work. As a large central bank, we provide large computing resources and have unique, rich and novel datasets.

    We have active seminar programmes and host high-profile international conferences – providing a well rounded experience for you.

  • This internship is designed for PhD students looking to carry out innovative, policy-relevant research, and to find out more about what it is like to work in a policy institution.

    To apply for this internship you must be studying for a PhD in any subject relevant to central bank policymaking.

    We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

    What to expect

    This programme will offer you an invaluable opportunity to gain experience in economic analysis, policymaking and research at a central bank. 

    You will have the opportunity to work on a live research project, working with Bank of England researchers. You will see first-hand how we conduct research and use it to make policy.

    Hiring areas can vary year on year but, in 2024, we recruited into: 

    • Monetary Analysis
    • Research Hub and Centre for Central Banking Studies
    • Markets
    • International
    • Financial Stability Strategy and Risk
    • Prudential Policy
    • Data and Analytics Transformation

    How you could develop 

    While your exact research topic will be at the discretion of the Bank, we will seek to align it with your interests and skills, and give you scope to shape the project. You will be able to present your research, either your own existing projects or your internship project, and engage with researchers and policymakers from around the Bank.

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This page was last updated 22 October 2025