Research Associate/Senior Research Associate - Development Economics

We are hiring for one position, which may be offered at the Research Associate (RA) or Senior Research Associate (Senior RA) level, to support an ongoing research and policy collaboration with the Government of Punjab.This is not a conventional desk-based research assistant position, and the role instead sits at the intersection of research and product development. It will suit candidates who enjoy building and improving systems, working across cross-functional teams, and translating ideas into action, be it in government, international development, or tech-driven environments. The RA/Senior RA will support a portfolio of high-impact projects, from rigorous randomized evaluation to rapid, data-driven decision support, aimed at transforming governance in Punjab. They will be based in Mohali and work directly with officials to follow up on key actions, troubleshoot operational gaps, and ensure timely progress. The successful candidate is motivated, action-oriented, and able to work independently to get things done in complex institutional environments. Key Responsibilities: Serve as the day-to-day point of contact between co-investigators and government counterpart Track progress on planned activities, identify bottlenecks, and follow up on pending items Coordinate with research, tech, and field teams to ensure smooth project implementation Pull data using SQL and conduct analysis using R/Stata Maintain documentation, meeting notes, and weekly updates to the core team Build trust with partners by consistently delivering on short-term goals and communicating clearly Required Qualifications: Master's degree in economics, public policy or a related field 1 to 4 years of relevant work experience, depending on position Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially in institutional settings Ability to work independently, follow through on tasks, and solve problems with minimal supervision Comfort working with large datasets Fluency in English and Hindi; knowledge of Punjabi is a plus Prior experience working with government stakeholders is highly desirable Ideal Candidate Profile: Fast-moving: Able to make progress and delivers on time Strategic: Can see the bigger picture and identify what will unlock progress People-smart: Builds relationships, earns trust, and gets work done through others Technically savvy: Comfortable with data tools and able to work in short, focused sprints

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. J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.