Senior Economist (Energy)

ABOUT PUBLIC FIRST

Public First is a policy, research, opinion and strategy consultancy. We work with global companies, governments, start ups, institutions and foundations around the world to tackle major public policy and strategic challenges.

We are part think tank, part strategic consultancy, part polling company, and part communications agency. In other words, we bring together the different disciplines that make policy happen and work.

Our recent projects have included:

• Helping Google quantify their economic and social impact in over 20 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and North America.

• Proposing measures to speed heat decarbonisation in the UK.

• Running the Hybrid Work Commission on the economic and policy impact of the shift towards more flexible working

• Co-ordinating major energy sector players to push for a rethink of economic regulation

• Modelling how to reduce emissions from a new generation of data centres.

We take an analytical approach to research, deploying economic modelling, data analysis, and opinion research to shape effective policy, create strategy and deliver communications with impact. We work with some of the world’s leading organisations on topics including tech, climate change, Industrial Strategy and education, exploring questions such as:

• How should governments balance affordability, energy security, and decarbonisation when designing energy policy?

• What are the biggest economic barriers to reaching net zero in advanced economies, and which are most tractable through policy?

• How can companies quantify and articulate the value of ESG behaviours and their core business activity to policymakers and the communities in which they work?

We are currently looking to recruit a Senior Economist, specialising in Energy Economics, to help build and scale our Economics, Modelling and Impact practice.

Public First is part of SHGH, a group of cross-border advisory firms, guiding clients through an unprecedented period of change in policy, politics, regulation, and sustainable growth.

THE ROLE

In this role, you would:

• lead on the design, implementation and write up on new economic modelling projects, primarily working with energy clients (typically covering networks, markets and decarbonisation pathways)

• work to build our wider energy practice, and support our work in impact measurement, policy design, polling and opinion research

• help bring in new clients and projects for the team with an energy focus

The right candidate will have:

• Extensive experience with quantitative research (e.g. input-output modelling, contingent valuation etc)

• Extensive experience with techno-economic modelling of energy and/or energy systems

• Strong written communication skills

• Demonstrated interest in public policy, specifically on energy and decarbonisation

• Experience with client engagement and project management, ideally in a consulting environment

While not essential, we are highly interested in candidates with any of the following particular experience or interests:

• Green Book compliant appraisal

• Economic regulation

• Energy system modelling

• Coding in Python or R

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Starting salaries range from £60,000 to £80,000, subject to experience

• 25 days annual holiday with additional office closure days

• A discretionary annual bonus, based on personal and business performance

• Enhanced company pension contribution of 5% of annual salary

• Private healthcare cover, inclusive of dental and optical (after probation)

• An enhanced family leave package

• Bike and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes

• An employee assistance programme with 24/7 access to online, phone or face-to-face counselling.

• We are based in Central London, close to several public transport links and for anyone who prefers to cycle in we offer bike storage and showers on site.

• We encourage a mix of home and office-based working.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all groups. Many of us, including the founders, have young children and we work hard to be family friendly. International travel and work would be possible for future projects.

HOW TO APPLY

We will be interviewing on an ongoing basis, and looking for successful candidates to start as possible. The interview process will be two rounds, including a task.

Please follow the instructions after clicking "Apply for this job", and submit the application no later than midnight on 12 June 2026.