Research Associate

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About the Organization

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) J-PAL was established in 2003 as a research center at the Economics Department at MIT. Since then, it has grown into a global network of researchers who use randomized evaluations to answer critical policy questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL is propelled by a first-rate team dedicated to research, policy, training, and other vital work, supporting J-PAL's mission to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence.

Job Description

The Research Associate (RA) will be an integral part of the Tamil Nadu Aging (TNAging) Portfolio, a long-standing collaborative initiative between J-PAL South Asia and the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at improving the well-being of the elderly through evidence-informed policymaking. The RA will work across one or more studies under this portfolio, including longitudinal surveys, randomized evaluations (community-based mental health interventions, machine learning for health screening, etc.), and implementation pilots (study on caregivers of elders, etc.)). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to rigorous policy-relevant research, while engaging deeply with government systems.

Job Responsibilities

Research Design and Data Management

• Assist in designing and refining survey instruments and qualitative research tools.
• Lead or support pilot testing, backchecks, and monitoring of survey protocols.
• Manage data quality processes, including field validations, cleaning, and preliminary analysis in Stata/R.
• Develop and maintain daily data tracking and progress dashboards.
• Uphold data security, research ethics, and compliance with J-PAL and IRB protocols.

Field and Operations Management

• Supervise day-to-day field activities, including recruitment, training, and oversight of field teams (surveyors, field managers, data operators).
• Liaise closely with government officials and partner organizations to ensure effective on-ground coordination.
• Oversee implementation of study protocols and ensure timelines and quality benchmarks are met.
• Conduct regular visits to field sites across Tamil Nadu to ensure high-quality data collection and troubleshoot operational challenges.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Maintain strong relationship with multiple departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu and other key partners.
• Provide regular updates, process notes, and documentation to stakeholders.
• Support dissemination efforts, including creation of reports, policy briefs, and presentations with clear visualizations.
• Share timely insights with policymakers to inform real-time decisions.

Team Collaboration

• Support and collaborate with other RAs, field team and team members across the TNAging Portfolio.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related fields.
• Proficiency in Stata/R is non-negotiable; experience with data visualization tools is a plus.
• Strong Tamil and English communication skills (Tamil, spoken would suffice).
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams and juggle multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Willingness to live in Chennai and travel extensively to rural field sites across Tamil Nadu.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems in real time.

Preferred

• Prior experience with randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental methods.
• Experience in research, monitoring & evaluation, or development programs/impact evaluations of at least a year.
• Experience working with government systems or in public sector partnerships.
• Familiarity with issues of aging, rural health, mental health, or social protection.

For more information please check the Link

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