Job Opportunity for Research Associate at Poverty Action Lab in Chennai

About the Organization

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of 194 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research in India, leads J-PAL’s work in the South Asia region. J-PAL South Asia conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs. Over more than ten years of existence, J-PAL South Asia has conducted 193 ongoing and completed randomized evaluations.

About the position 

J-PAL South Asia at the Institute for Financial Management and Research seeks qualified applicants for the position of Research Associate to lead impact evaluations in India. The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. The Research Associate will join a team of world-class researchers from leading universities in the world and will gain first-hand experience implementing randomized control trials in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research Read more about our work and projects here. J-PAL South Asia is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and other attributes protected by law. We strongly encourage people from marginalized communities to apply for this role. 

Project Specific Details 

This project will study the role of employer perceptions in driving gender discrimination in the labor market in India. In particular, we will study how employers’ perceptions about the relative productivity of male and female workers affect gender discrimination in hiring. We will ask whether employers hold correct or incorrect perceptions about these productivities. If we find that employers are making mistakes, we will study whether a randomized controlled trial to correct employer beliefs can remedy gender discrimination in the labor market. We seek a research associate to pilot the survey and intervention. 

In addition to this project, the Research Associate will provide support on a number of other projects studying labor market questions in India, with a focus on how firms compete with each other to determine workers’ pay and benefits, and the causes and consequences of gender gaps in the labor market. This will involve field travel to other parts of Tamil Nadu. The Research Associate will work closely with Garima Sharma (Princeton University/Northwestern University). There will be many opportunities for developing skills in both fieldwork, survey administration, as well as analytical tasks based on mutual fit and interest. While the initial piloting engagement will last for 3 months, the contract will be renewed for longer subject to doing a full study and fit. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research Associates work closely with academic researchers and other field staff to perform a variety tasks including, but not limited to: 

• Designing survey questionnaires, conducting qualitative research, running pilot exercises, refining study design and survey instruments. 
• Managing teams (when the pilot turns into a full study): Recruit, train, and supervise both field-based and data operations teams consisting of project assistants, field managers, field-based surveyors, data entry operators and other field and office staff 
• Supervising data collection and data entry to ensure good data quality during both these phases 
• Co-ordinating with the Administrative and Finance team on a variety of tasks related to field staff contracting and payments 
• Overseeing the implementation of the evaluation in accordance to the research design in association with our partner organization 
• Ensuring that the project complies with IRB and JPAL data collection and security protocols with the help of the Research Manager 
• Maintaining relationship with partner organizations at both headquarters and field levels 
• Assisting with data cleaning and preliminary data analysis 
• Assisting in preparation of documents and presentations for donor reporting as well as dissemination activities 
• Reporting to PIs on all of the above mentioned activities 
• Any other task as assigned by the Research Manager, AD Research or ED 

Desired Qualifications 

• A Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, education or related fields 
• Fluency in Tamil is a very strong plus 
• Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills 
• Fluency and excellent communication skills in English 
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player 
• Previous experience in development research preferred 
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations is preferred 
• Knowledge of Stata (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software is preferred 
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials/clinical trials/quasi-experiments 
• Ability to deal with unstructured and changing environments 
• Ability to work independently and in rural field locations 

Note on Work Authorizations:

Candidates must have work authorization to work in India.  

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please click on the apply button on the JD here; the first-time users will be asked to sign up and upload your CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts (optional).