Energy Economist

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable energy.  Through the design and delivery of STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040.
UKIFS will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.
Onsite working  is expected for 3 days each week , however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.
Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
Wide range of career development opportunities.
The salary for this role is £62,858 plus specialist allowance and excellent benefits including outstanding pension .
The closing date to apply for this position is the 12th January 2026 
As our UKIFS Economist, you will take a leading role as part of a growing team which develops and delivers the benefits, monitoring and evaluation (BM&E) activities. Databases of economic evidence will be built upon your work to deliver monetisable insights that clearly communicate the impact of the programme to a range of audiences. This role will lead activities to enhance the evidence of value for money analysis, including both monetisable but also non-monetisable economic benefits (quantitative and qualitative), helping bring clarity to unique elements of the programme and what impact they are likely to deliver. You will bring expertise and lead on the Economic aspects of Evaluations to help improve understanding on how effective and efficient the programme is and to support continuous improvement. This role will involve close working with other Experts and Government Analysts, including Lead Economists within UKAEA and DESNZ.
 
Accountability 1: Lead on the Economic Evidence-Base for Policy and Decision Making
 
Design, deliver, and manage both in-house and commissioned Economic analysis. This will include value for money analysis in compliance with HMT Green Book. Ensure delivery of high-quality products to navigate internal and governmental assurance processes.
Own the gathering of insight for Spending Reviews, ensuring high quality robust analysis and leading the appraisal of impacts – using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research; including the communication of uncertainties in analysis.
Lead the development of approved methodologies to quantify the impact of the programme, including enhancing the collection of key data and the evidence base to support STEP in meeting our strategic priorities.
 
As part of this lead on the development of the analysis for the Economic case as part of the HMT five cases business cases, and train and build awareness across UKIFS colleagues of what is required for this (such as data requirements)
Ensure robust methodology is used that is approved by DESNZ and HMT, ensuring the analysis done within this is well received and gets through Gov. Provide expert advice for research reports and briefings which communicate Economic evidence, ensure they are robust and can be used for a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Respond to ad-hoc requests for Economic evidence relating to policy or key thematic areas, for example the UK Government Spending Review in close collaboration with DESNZ colleagues.
 
Accountability 4: Be the Economics ‘Subject Matter Expert’ for STEP
 
Oversee the production and quality control of Economic evidence to ensure our data and methodology are considered robust by all relevant Gov. departments including DESNZ, NISTA and the ETF.
Provide Expert training, coaching, and mentoring across UKIFS staff and wider Whole Plant Partners including UKAEA to ensure the continued growth of awareness, skills and capabilities within STEP.
 
Accountability 5: Lead a Strong Network
 
Develop trusted close working relationships with external and internal key-stakeholders including DESNZ Economists and Lead Economists in UKAEA.
Build a strong network of close contacts with staff across UKIFS and its Whole Plant Partners including UKAEA, to enable detailed insight of economic benefits, and enabling effective co-ordination and collaboration across STEP.
Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork.
Degree in Economics or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
Experience of leading quantitative and qualitative data management and analysis. Ability to use expertise to train and coach colleagues and explain risk and uncertainty.
Ability to quickly respond to changing demands and priorities, with the confidence to take quick decisions without comprising the quality of work.
Technical skills with experience of using a range of robust techniques to deliver analysis.
Experience of leading and delivering significant Economic analysis or evaluations together with an interest in fusion or science & engineering.
Experience of using best-practice spreadsheet models and knowledge of R and Python.
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment collaboratively with colleagues in finance, policy, engineering, scientific, commercial, project delivery, legal and senior leadership teams.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. Please email talent@ukifs.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks:  If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.