Pre-doctoral Researcher - J-PAL Latin America and the Caribbean

Professor Natalia Garbiras-Díaz (Harvard Business School) and Professor Mateo Montenegro (Toulouse School of Economics) are seeking a pre-doctoral researcher based in Lima, Peru, to support their research agenda on governance and accountability in Latin America.

The selected candidate will contribute across multiple projects in the field of political economy, with a primary focus on the project “Managing Democracies for Development.” This project involves the implementation of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating a training program for newly elected mayors following the October 2026 local elections in Peru. The program aims to strengthen public-sector management and democratic governance skills.

Responsibilities

The pre-doctoral researcher will be involved in a range of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Collecting and organizing data on public goods provision and administrative performance across Peruvian districts.
• Assisting the preparation and submission of freedom of information requests when necessary.
• Supporting the design, oversight, and analysis of a citizen survey to evaluate the impact of the training programs on perceptions and management outcomes.
• Coordinating with project partners and leading regular coordination meetings.
• Supporting and overseeing the implementation of the RCT, including occasional travel to field sites.
• Conducting data analysis using statistical software (Stata and/or R).

Position details

• Location: Lima, Peru
• Start date: As soon as possible, and no later than May 1, 2026
• Commitment: Minimum 20 hours per week; full-time availability (40 hours/week) strongly preferred
• Duration: Minimum 12 months, with the possibility of renewal
• Compensation: Competitive, based on qualifications and availability.

Requirements

Mandatory

• Residence in Lima, Peru, for the duration of the position
• Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish
• Professional fluency in English
• Strong statistical and programming skills in Stata and/or R
• Undergraduate degree in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, or a related field
• Completed or ongoing Master’s degree in a relevant field (see A5)

Desirable

• Interest in pursuing a PhD in the areas described in (A5)
• Experience with fieldwork, especially carrying out interviews and/or overseeing survey implementation
• Familiarity with survey design and programming (e.g., Qualtrics)