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 onlineeducation 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 in Guatemala, at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. The team supports offices and staff in Chile, Brazil, and Guatemala, working closely with J-PAL Global at MIT, partner universities (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Insper in Brazil, and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala), and other regional offices. 

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. 

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 LAC seeks a Research Associate (RA) to support the design, implementation, and analysis of impact evaluations in the region. The research team’s mission is to catalyze the generation of rigorous, high-quality evidence that advances knowledge in Latin America and the Caribbean. The team provides research infrastructure and support throughout the project lifecycle — from facilitating the collection of high-quality data to developing research resources that generate transformative evidence. It also works to bridge the gap between researchers and implementing partners, fostering innovation and collaboration on key policy questions in the region.

Summary of the role

The Research Associate (RA) will play a key role in strengthening J-PAL LAC’s research strategy and supporting the generation of high-quality evidence in the region. Working in close collaboration with Edivaldo Constantino, Senior Research Manager, the RA will contribute to the design, implementation, and analysis of impact evaluations that inform policy and advance scientific knowledge in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The position will help ensure that J-PAL LAC’s research portfolio maintains the highest standards of rigor and quality by supporting project development, data management, and field operations throughout the research lifecycle. Additionally, the RA will contribute to strengthening J-PAL LAC’s research infrastructure — developing tools, resources, and systems that enhance efficiency and foster a culture of evidence generation and continuous learning within the organization.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Project development and support
  • Conduct literature reviews and summarize empirical findings to inform research design.
  • Support data cleaning and preliminary analysis for power calculations and feasibility assessments.
  • Support the Research Managers with IRB-related activities, ensuring compliance with ethical requirements.
  • Contribute to the design, programming, and testing of research surveys (SurveyCTO, Qualtrics), including piloting and quality assurance.
  • Assess the technical feasibility of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Research data and monitoring
  • Manage and organize datasets, ensuring data quality and documentation.
  • Develop dashboards and visualizations to support reporting and dissemination.
  • Track and map ongoing and completed RCTs in the region (“paper tracking”).
• Research innovation and process improvement
  • Contribute to the development of new tools and resources to enhance research processes and data management.
  • Explore opportunities to automate tasks or integrate AI-based solutions to improve efficiency (desirable).
  • Support the preparation of project budgets for research activities (We don’t expect you to have prior experience preparing research budgets, but we’re looking for someone motivated and willing to learn).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (completed or currently in progress) in Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, or a related field.
• Solid knowledge of randomized controlled trials and impact evaluation methodologies is a core requirement.
• Up to 2 years of experience in research and/or data analysis.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficiency in Stata, R, or Python.
• Familiarity with survey design tools (SurveyCTO, Qualtrics) and data visualization software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or R Shiny).

Additional competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to cross-cultural contexts.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to J-PAL’s mission, DEI principles, and to rigorous, evidence-based research.
• Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time and meet deadlines. A willingness to work in a team, be self-motivated, and a willingness to learn will be essential for doing well in this position.

Work permissions

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

Location

The role will be based in Santiago, Chile or São Paulo, Brazil or Guatemala City, Guatemala.