IER News & blogs

The Institute for Employment Research (IER) is seeking to appoint an outstanding Research Fellow to strengthen its employment and labour markets research. We are looking for a labour economist or other social scientist possessing high level quantitative skills who wants to undertake rigorous research addressing important labour market and related public policy questions.

The role provides an opportunity to develop your own area of research expertise while contributing to IER's wider programme of policy relevant employment and labour market research.

Read more about the role at the University of Warwick website.

The deadline for applying is Sunday, 1st November 2026 at 11:59pm (UK time).

Ruth joined IER in July. A sociologist by background, Ruth uses qualitative methods to research workplace sexual harassment particularly focusing on workers’ lived experiences, low-paid and/or insecure work, and sectoral analyses of sexual harassment.

Her research interests include workplace inequalities, workplace harms, low paid and/or precarious work, regulation and enforcement, worker experiences and trade unions. Ruth often uses feminist research methods, participatory research approaches and creative methods within her research. Ruth previously worked at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.

The Inception Report for this Nuffield Foundation funded project has been published. It has been developed in consultation with the thirty person project Advisory Group which includes widespread representation from across the careers sector.

On 14 September, Dr Sangwoo Lee presented at an expert roundtable hosted by the British Academy.  Sharing findings from his recent research on multidimensional graduate job quality premiums across the UK and Europe, he argued that conventional evaluative metrics, which rely heavily on gross earnings and standard employment status, fail to capture the realities of modern graduate employment.

IER was also represented at the roundtable by Professor Peter Elias and Gabriel Atfield, contributing to discussions on skills, regional inequality, and the future data infrastructure needed to assess fair and sustainable work across the UK.

Non-standard working arrangements are coming under pressure: Payrolled employees fell by 39,000 in May-July 2026 and workforce jobs a by 48,000, the latter driven by a 43,000 decline in self-employed jobs. This suggests even non-standard arrangements that previously absorbed some labour market weakness are now under pressure