Research Institutes

Research institutes produce independent analysis on economic, social, and environmental questions. Their findings inform government policy and public debate. Unlike academia, the focus is on applied questions with practical relevance rather than fundamental theory. Unlike government, they operate with a degree of independence that allows them to publish findings that may be critical of existing policy.

The daily work involves designing research projects, collecting and analysing data, and writing reports or policy briefs. The output is usually aimed at a broad audience that includes policymakers, journalists, and the public, which means writing clearly and without jargon is important. Collaboration with universities, government departments, and international organisations is common.

The main tools are R, Python, and Stata for quantitative analysis. Knowledge of econometric methods, particularly causal inference techniques, is central to most research roles in this sector. The work is slower-paced than in the private sector, with more emphasis on rigour and peer review.

In the Netherlands, the CPB focuses on economic and public finance analysis, the PBL on environmental and spatial planning, and the SCP on social and cultural trends. These are well-regarded institutions with competitive selection. The sector connects closely to Government and Academia, and roles here overlap with Economic Researcher and Policy Analyst roles.