Scottish Government (SG)

Location: Edinburgh and Glasgow 

Number of positions available:  6 

Salary: Scottish Government Main B2 pay scale, £36,944.  

About Us 

The Scottish Government is the devolved Government for Scotland.  We play a part in every issue that matters to people in Scotland – from health, education, housing and crime, to transport, agriculture, climate change, culture and the economy, plus many more. 

Economists in the Scottish Government 

We have over 100 economists applying their economics skills to analyse, evaluate and assess various aspects of the Scottish economy and help shape the development of the policies and programmes of the Scottish Government. Our economists work in all the policy areas of Government - from health, education, housing and crime, to transport, agriculture, climate change, culture and the economy. In each area we go beyond the theory and apply our economics knowledge to real-world problems. 

As an assistant economist, you will put your economic learning to direct use by influencing high profile public policies with the best possible economic analysis.  

Our work is wide and varied with opportunity to further develop skills such as model economic impacts of new and existing policies on the economy and businesses, work closely on designing and influencing policies; briefing Ministers and senior colleagues on your work; and design and manage research projects. 

We are looking for people with a good grasp of economics, an ability to apply their economic knowledge to practical problems and communicate it in an accessible way.   

You may not think that you have all these skills now, but what we are interested in is people with potential, enthusiasm, and a drive to learn. We will give you the support and training you need to thrive and to broaden your expertise. In addition, you will have access to the comprehensive learning available through the Government Economic Service.  

These roles will allow you to build your economic expertise within different policy areas of the Scottish Government, as well as developing a range of analytical and policy development skills which you can deploy in your future career. 

Assistant economists are expected to rotate to a different assistant economist post in the Scottish Government within two years of joining. The purpose of such rotations is to develop skills and gain experience across a number of policy areas, eventually towards career progression into a more senior Economic Adviser position.  

If you would you like to play a role in supporting us in our economic analysis then please apply.  We’re ambitious about diversity and we want to reflect the make-up of modern Scotland in the people we employ and the work we do. 

Further information is available Economist careers in the Scottish Government - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)  

If you would like to know more, please contact: sgeconomistgroup@gov.scot  / maria.harris@gov.scot