Research Associate - J-PAL LAC

About J-PAL

J-PAL LAC is a non-profit research center that aims to reduce global poverty by generating rigorous scientific evidence on which social programs and policies can make a real difference in people's lives. Formed by a network of more than 750 academics worldwide, J-PAL measures the impact of programs with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and uses these results to influence the design of public policies. The J-PAL network has conducted over 1,700 evaluations in over 90 countries, organized in 12 sectors. In Latin America, we currently count on 174 studies. As of 2023, J-PAL LAC is supporting 25 evaluations in 6 countries

.J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that fund research. We also implement RCT from data collection to data analysis.

Public policy: we summarize the results of the investigation, create alliances, and provide technical assistance to governments.

Training: We lead the executive training and develop a rigorous online education to build regional knowledge.

The local grounding of J-PAL is essential for its success. The seven regional J-PAL offices are located at leading universities on five continents. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, J-PAL LAC is headquartered at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile). J-PAL LAC also has a Memoranda of Understanding with Insper for work in Brazil, the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala for work in Central America, and ITAM for work in Mexico.

In 2019, J-PAL founders Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee won the Nobel Prize in Economics "for their experimental approach to alleviating poverty."

OUR OFFICE

J-PAL LAC is based at UC Chile in Santiago, where most of our staff is located. We also have a team in São Paulo, based at Insper, and project staff in several LAC countries. Our team comprises about 15 permanent staff members and 20 staff hired for specific projects, typically on shorter-term contracts. We are currently running 25 projects in 6 LAC countries. 

We strive for a collegiate, horizontal, and amicable culture where peers can learn from each other and are not afraid to innovate. The office is led by Executive Director Paula Pedro, originally from Brazil, and Deputy Executive Director Claudia Macías, originally from Mexico. Paula leads the office’s overall strategy and fundraising and has a more external-facing role. Claudia oversees our operations and develops strategic partnerships, especially with Governments. 

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to address poverty's complex causes and consequences. To advance our mission, J-PAL LAC must draw on diverse experiences from our staff and affiliated researchers to ask better questions and identify better solutions. We are working to increase the limited representation of individuals from underrepresented economic backgrounds. We are committed to self-reflection, learning, and dialogue to nurture understanding across differences. Together, we will build an equitable, inclusive culture where everyone is respected, empowered, and heard.

About the team, project, or initiative you would be working with:

J-PAL Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is seeking to hire a Research Associate to work on Chilean microfinance projects in partnership with one of the largest microfinance institutes in Chile, as well as other projects related to financial inclusion. This is a data-intensive position that requires working directly with J-PAL affiliated professors Natalia Rigol (Harvard Business School) & Benjamin Roth (Harvard Business School), and other J-PAL LAC staff on a number of experimental and non-experimental evaluations. One evaluation involves measuring the impact of providing emergency credits during crisis on borrowers and their businesses. The other main evaluation aims at measuring the impact of new flexible credit products. The RA will also have the opportunity to assist in the development, eventual implementation and analysis of a number of additional projects and experiments with these researchers in other parts of the world however the position won’t involve international travel. This position is based in Chile, with a commitment of at least a year.

Summary of the Role:

The candidate will supervise data collection, manage and analyze datasets, and support the creation of academic publications and presentations for financial inclusion projects in Chile. The role also involves regular reporting to principal investigators and the possibility of participating in other of their projects.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

The Research Associate will work closely with academic researchers and other J-PAL LAC Staff to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Supervising data collection while ensuring data quality and productivity.
• Cleaning data, analyzing transcripts, and managing datasets.
• Processing and conducting analysis of administrative and survey data.
• Support the research team in writing up results for academic articles.
• Preparing documents and presentations for dissemination.
• Reporting to the PIs on all the above-mentioned activities.
• Any other task as assigned by the Research Manager or PIs.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Statistics, or related social science field. Master's degree in Economics, Data Science or related sub areas is a plus. Strong quantitative skills - Familiarity with RCTs and non-experimental methods.

Experience: At least 1 years of professional experience (not excluding). Experience working for economic researchers as a research assistant. Preference will be given to candidates with strong data analysis and coding skills. 

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable speaking and writing in English and Spanish.
• Attention to detail and ability to work on projects independently.
• Statistical Packages (STATA, R, and SQL): Advanced in Stata and LaTeX. Desired knowledge of Python.

Work permissions:

This position is open to citizens or foreigners with visas and/or valid work permits in Chile at the time of applying for this vacancy.

Location

Flexible (Combination of on-site and remote work)