Lead Economic Analyst, 12 month FTC in MACRO MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Location: Leeds and London

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of one of the Bank’s critical strategic initiatives to define, and support, an approach to monetary policy making that is fit for the future. This reflects the Bank’s commitment to respond fully to the recommendations of the Bernanke Review, and so help the Bank to:

• Modernise and develop “close to the frontier” capabilities in terms of the Bank’s processes, expertise, modelling and data infrastructure
• Build effective mechanisms for continuous improvement, to help maintain our capabilities close to the frontier of monetary policymaking internationally.
• Leverage those capabilities, to deliver more transparent communications and support monetary policymaking in a wide range of circumstances, including heightened uncertainty, large shocks and structural change.

Macro Modelling and Economic Outlook Divisions

The Macro modelling division is tasked with coordinating and supercharging the Banks investment in existing and new modelling capabilities and toolkits. It owns the Bank’s overarching macro modelling strategy aiming to deliver continuous improvement which supports high-quality policy and strategy advice, as well as exploiting new, state-of-the-art approaches from data and AI advances. It provides robust governance and oversight of the Bank’s modelling investment and quality assurance to the Bank and its policy committees. This is supported by an effective communication and training programme on the investment to ensure it is engrained and fosters an environment of continuous improvement (leveraging external challenge).

Economic Outlook Division

The Economic Outlook Division produces the Bank’s quarterly central forecast and designs and delivers scenario analysis to explore the risks most relevant to monetary policy. It also maintains actively develops new processes, models and analytical toolkits to improve the central forecast and scenarios.

This is a 12 month fixed-term contract role for an experienced economist to contribute to maturing and deploying our recently developed semi-structural macroeconomic model for forecasting and scenario analysis.

Responsibilities could involve:

• Working closely with the Banks forecasting and modelling experts to continue to design, estimate and implement the Bank’s macroeconomic models. This role has a particular focus on semi-structural modelling, but you may also contribute to time series, DSGE and model combination.

• Feeding directly into the forecast/MPC process: advising on model specification; producing policy notes and technical briefings and communicating these clearly to our key stakeholders as the transformation progresses.

• Leading and delivering analytic projects end-to-end – building new capabilities, exploiting emerging data (high-frequency, microdata, big data) or responding to policy questions in real time.

• Working across boundaries – co-ordinating and building relationships with other policy areas of the Bank and leveraging central bank networks.

• Helping to set and embed high standards for model governance, maintenance, evaluation and documentation; propagating best practice in programming, version control and reproducible research.

• Informal mentoring and contributing ideas to the wider community.

Role Requirements

Minimum Criteria

• Proven expertise in developing and estimating semi-structural macroeconomic models

• Experience on forecasting or scenario analysis for macroeconomic policymakers: feeding modelling into high-stakes policy debates, designing scenarios, writing policy notes or providing real-time technical briefings.

• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and work effectively across boundaries; synthesising complex information for non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrable ability to lead projects or think strategically about programmes of work, with minimal oversight.

• Strong programming skills in at least one major language (Python, R, MATLAB, Julia, etc.) and comfort with larger datasets.

• Desirable Criteria

• Experience of using AI tools in model development and deployment.

• Experience managing and maintaining models within agreed risk standards, including version control and reproducibility.

• Experience working on DataBricks or comparable alternatives.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.

At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.

We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.

From 1st October 2026, we expect all our colleagues to spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office per month. This is to capitalise on the benefits of working together in person across teams, while maintaining the flexibility offered by home working. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them and their team.

Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme . If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the ‘Candidate Personal Information’ under the ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.

The salary for this role is, Leeds: £50,320 - £56,610 and London: £55,920 - £62,910

In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

• Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice .

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.

The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages. (Amend and add brief details if relevant, such as interview/assessment dates or process for your specific role)

This role closes on 30 October 2026

Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.