We’re looking for motivated and commercially aware graduates to join our friendly and intellectually curious team in September 2025.

About Volterra

Volterra is a socio-economic consultancy specialising in estimating the impact of major infrastructure and development. We work with both public and private sector clients to analyse and understand the impacts of transformative developments, policy proposals, and sector-specific initiatives on local, regional, and national economies.

As part of our dynamic team, you’ll have the opportunity to work on some of the most high-profile and innovative projects in the country. Our recent portfolio includes major developments in the capital such as Battersea Power Station and the London Olympia Exhibition Centre, as well as an increasing number of projects outside London, such as Oxford Rail Station redevelopment and the proposed Marlow Film Studios. We’ve also been instrumental in shaping Levelling Up bids in the Midlands and Wales, and are currently contributing to cutting-edge green energy and national freight infrastructure initiatives.

Our team regularly:

• Makes the strategic and economic case for property development and transport infrastructure;

• Authors business cases for public funding;

• Presents evidence at public inquiries and challenge the status quo (policy documents, site allocations, public guidance); and

• Authors documents for planning applications (socio-economic chapters, economic benefit statements, equality impact assessments, health impact assessments, employment and skills strategies, social value statements).

Our values

Compelling insights and narratives – We excel in delivering high quality work by uncovering compelling insights from complex, varied datasets and stakeholder engagement. We go beyond the raw numbers to provide valuable context and identify trends that are shaping the economic landscape. Our experts craft a compelling narrative that brings clarity and meaning to the numbers, helping our clients make informed decisions with confidence.

Embracing uncertainty – Understanding that the economy is a complex system with inherent unpredictability, we provide independent analysis that withstands scrutiny, presenting key assumptions transparently. We believe that analysis should be simple to understand to help focus on the key issues and facilitate public engagement and debate. Avoiding black box models, we provide our clients with reliable and robust insights, empowering them to navigate uncertainty with clarity and foresight.

Innovating and evolving – As pioneers in economic analysis, we constantly push boundaries and challenge conventional thinking. Recognising that all models are wrong, but some are useful, we refuse to settle on common templates. Economic factors important in one context may not be in another. Innovation and constant improvement lies at the heart of our practice, as we constantly seek fresh ideas and approaches to enhance results.

Fostering a collaborative and cohesive team – We foster a friendly, open and inclusive culture. Collaboration is at the core of our work, and we prioritise building strong relationships with our clients and partners. Our culture is one where people genuinely enjoy working together, making Volterra a place where individuals thrive, ideas flourish and friendships are forged. By nurturing a fun and cohesive work environment, we ensure that our team members are motivated, engaged and inspired to deliver outstanding results for our clients.

Details of the research consultant opportunity

This is your chance to work with high-profile clients and make an impact on some of the most exciting development projects across the UK. From multinationals to government departments and major property developers, you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of industries while developing a unique blend of skills in both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

In this role, you will:

• Develop innovative methodologies that set the standard for socio-economic impact analysis;

• Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research that shapes the future of socio-economic impact studies and influences key decision-makers;

• Work directly with clients through report writing, presentations, and regular liaison, ensuring you build strong relationships and a deep understanding of client needs;

• Collaborate on proposals and help drive new business opportunities, directly contributing to Volterra’s growth; and

• Be encouraged to explore new business areas that align with your personal interests, with days set aside for research projects.

At Volterra, we nurture talent and offer you the flexibility to shape your career. You’ll have the support to grow, with tailored opportunities that match your strengths. We foster innovation and personal growth, providing time for all team members to explore new areas of interest and contribute fresh ideas that push our projects forward.

What we offer

We offer a competitive and enjoyable work package consisting of:

• Direct access to leadership – As a small company, you’ll have one-on-one time with the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with industry leaders;

• A strong start – Our tailored six-week onboarding program ensures you’re up to speed quickly, with direct involvement with the senior team from day one;

• Competitive salary – Your gross annual pay is competitive and reviewed annually to reflect your growth and performance;

• Discretionary bonuses – Enjoy bi-annual bonuses based on company and individual performance;

• Innovation rewards – We value innovative thinking and recognise outstanding contributions with rewards. This includes quarterly rewards for innovative thinking, and a more substantial major ideas award;

• Generous holiday package – 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, additional gifted time at Christmas, and the option to buy extra holidays;

• Hybrid working – Balance work with life through our hybrid model: three days in the office and two days from home each week, along with the option to take an additional 15 days’ work away from the office each year;

• Flexible Fridays – Enjoy the option to finish at 1pm on Fridays when time allows, whether by working longer hours earlier in the week or after a busy period, offering you extra flexibility while keeping our client commitments on track;

• Personalised training – Your growth is important to Work with the Senior Leadership Team to create a training plan that suits your needs;

• Social events – Join in on fun, varied work socials organised by the team every two months; and

• Health cash plan – Benefit from our Bupa health cash plan for added peace of mind.

More detail can be provided on the above at interview stage.

What you need to apply

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone passionate about economics, development, and sustainability to make a real impact while building a rewarding career. If you’re intellectually curious, eager to learn, we’d love to hear from you!

What we’re looking for:

• A degree with a 2:1 or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline. While many of our team members have backgrounds in economics, we welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and value applicants who can bring a different perspective to our industry;

• Ability to conduct research and analysis;

• Strong analytical, presentation and writing skills;

• A good command of written and spoken English;

• Communication skills, organised work approach and commercial awareness;

• Capability with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); and

• Competence with statistical software (such as R or GIS) is a plus, but not essential.

Final-year students, recent graduates, or those with a few years’ experience are all encouraged to apply. If you’re in your final year, we expect your employment to start in September 2025, but we’re happy to discuss alternative start dates.

Unfortunately due to recent changes in the immigration rules and subsequent changes to salary thresholds, we are unable to sponsor applicants requiring a visa. This will also apply to those needing to switch to a skilled worker visa.

Application process

Please send both your CV and a covering letter, displaying motivation for the role, by email to Nicola Pallai (npallai@volterra.co.uk) and Adam Sands (asands@volterra.co.uk).

The deadline for applications to be considered is November 30^th. Interviews will take place at our office during the months of November (for early applicants) and December. Our office is located at Kennington Workspace, a short walk from Oval tube station.

Don’t meet all the requirements?

Studies show that candidates from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every qualification. At Volterra, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but unsure if you meet all criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might be the perfect fit!