Future Needs is a Cyprus-based SME which helps Tech-innovators get their R&D funded and overcome the “death valley curve” for their new products. We do so in 3 ways: 1) by helping our clients apply for funding and develop sustainable business models, 2) by optimizing the design of our clients’ services to achieve maximum user acceptance and consumer uptake, and 3) by ensuring compliance of their products and services with EU security standards.

Either in the role of a consultant or a consortium partner, we help our clients -innovative companies and leading researchers- in securing funding for and implementation of ambitious R&D projects in the Transport and Mobility sector, by taking research results from the stage of experimentation to the stage of commercialization.

We use the broad range of social and political research methods to:

• Understand mobility and the transport system and its role in, and influence on people’s lives and vice versa.
• Appraise transport measures including social and distributional impact assessment, health impact assessments and equality impact assessment.
• Assess the overall business case for transport investment from a demand and supply side.
• Understand policy and governance of mobility and transport – how are agendas set and policy formed?
• Investigate ways of steering policy and changing mobility to improve its social, environmental and economic impacts
• Investigate functions of, and interrelations between, public participation, institutional collaboration, mobility measure selection and evaluation, and assessing the potential for relational and collaborative planning and co-design in mitigating uncertainty.

To strengthen our team, Future Needs is looking for a Researcher in Transport or Regional/Spatial Economics, to work on a European level on the definition and rollout of U-space (drone traffic management) and Urban Air Mobility (aviation inside cities) and build together with us a future where drones benefit both business and society.

Role Description

This is a full-time hybrid role for a Lead Research Economist at Future Needs. The Lead Research Economist will be responsible for leading a team of researchers working in EU research projects, defining the economic research methodology for our work in EU research projects, while also conducting economic research and applying statistical methods first-hand. This position will lead and direct analyses for research studies relating to spatial economics with applications in aviation policy and health applications. The Researcher will apply skills in research design and statistical methods to offer solutions to complex policy issues for government and non-government clients. Work from home: 60%, Work from office: 20%, Travel: 20%.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Economics, Econometrics, Spatial or Regional Economics, Economic Geography, Logistics, Statistics, Business or related field
• Language: Fluent in English (speaking, writing – including academic writing)

Experience (you are expected to demonstrate a track record in at least one of the following):

• Experience in drafting academic papers
• Experience working on research projects (e.g. Horizon EU projects)
• Track record in conducting Impact Assesment studies
• Track record in conducting Willingness-to-Pay surveys
• Experience in business model innovation
• Experience in coductinc economic analysis preferably in the fields of spatial economics and/or transport economics
• Experience in cost and pricing analysis

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and implement research in EU-funded research projects
• Co-author high-impact publications, policy documents, and research reports
• Participate in international conferences
• Develop research proposals
• Collaborate with partners from various backgrounds (researchers; policymakers; civil society; private sector) and geographical locations

• Possibility to work remotely;
• Solid reputation and strong client focus;
• A professional and dynamic working environment that values independence, entrepreneurship, and self-development;
• Opportunities to work on large, complex, long-term projects which make impacts at the local, national and global levels;
• Engagement with a strong global network of experts enabling you to work and learn alongside leading industry professionals;
• A competitive salary with excellent secondary conditions;
• Active support for training and career development;

We use the broad range of social and political research methods to:

• Appraise measures including social and distributional impact assessment, health impact assessments and equality impact assessment.
• Assess the overall business case for investment from a demand and supply side.
• Understand policy and governance of various sectors such as mobility and transport, health , education and ICT – how are agendas set and policy formed?
• Investigate ways of steering policy to improve its social, environmental and economic impacts
• Investigate functions of, and interrelations between, public participation, institutional collaboration, measure selection and evaluation, and assessing the potential for relational and collaborative planning and co-design in mitigating uncertainty.

At Future Needs, we value bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Please apply by sending us to info@futureneeds.eu:

1. your CV in English
2. your portfolio (relevant publications and or deliverables you authored and a list of projects you worked in) in a separate file
3. An answer to the question how is your experience relevant to the topic of Urban Air Mobility.

If you have any questions, please contact us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

At Future Needs, we value bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.