Industrial Economist

OFT1008 - Industrial Economist

Salary : £28,928 + £1,750 Economist allowance

The Industrial Economist will perform economic analysis and support, for cases and projects required by the work of the office.  Working as a constructive and supportive member of project teams, the post holder will demonstrate the OFT's values of passion, trust, openness and courage.
The post holder may work in one or more of the following areas:
Market Groupings (Goods and Consumer or Services, Infrastructure and Public Markets).
In the Market Groups Industrial Economists could be involved in Competition Act cases that examine how competition is affected by agreements between firms or by the behaviour of dominant firms. Alternatively, they may be working on a market study which is a more general investigation of markets that do not appear to be working well for consumers, and of markets where competition appears to be distorted or restricted by government regulations.  This can include looking at the consumer side of markets, assessing whether actions by firms, asymmetries of information or consumer's behavioural biases prevent effective consumer choice.
Mergers Group
In the Mergers Group economists assess the impact of mergers on competition and in particular whether a merger could lead to a lessening of competition.  While there is no immediate position in the Mergers Group, it is envisaged that some Industrial Economists may rotate into this group.
Office of the Chief Economist and Competition Policy (OCECP)
Industrial Economists play a key role in supporting and advising case teams, in particular in undertaking econometric analysis. In addition, they may be involved in conducting economic research to develop the OFT's understanding on specific issues.
The OCE team also conducts evaluation and Industrial Economists may play a key role in the design and management of ex post evaluations of previous OFT work that are carried out by external consultants and provide advice to project teams throughout the OFT in how best to estimate the impact of their work.
Economists in the OFT work together through regular meetings and rolling external seminar series

How to apply

Download an application pack (Word 232kb). Please use the reference number OFT1008 in all correspondence.
Closing date: 21 October 2012
The Office of Fair Trading is an equal opportunities employer.
Contact details:
email: recruitment@oft.gsi.gov.uk