Research Associate/Predoctoral Fellow - J-PAL Africa

Job Description(s):

Inclusion Economics at Yale University (YIE) is looking to hire a highly skilled and motivated research associate or predoctoral fellow to support a growing portfolio of applied economic research in Kenya led by Prof. Rohini Pande, Henry J. Heinz II Professor of Economics, Director of the Economic Growth Center and YIE; Prof. Simone Schaner, Associate Professor (Research), University of Southern California, Scientific Director, Gender, YIE; Prof. Charity Troyer-Moore, Research Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University, Scientific Director, India, YIE; and Erik Jorgensen, Lead, Digital and Financial Innovations & Lead, Africa, YIE. The position will support the team on a set of projects in East Africa evaluating interventions designed to empower women as digital actors and ensure digital policy and programs are gender intentional. The position will support all stages of research study design, piloting, testing, and analysis. Strong candidates will have sound data and analytical skills and training in economics and applied econometrics.

This fellow or associate will be exposed to cutting-edge topics and research methods in development economics. This position is data-intensive, and the selected candidate will be expected to analyze survey data, administrative data, and intervention monitoring data. Good writing skills are valued. The selected candidate will benefit from opportunities to work with Professor Pande and academic economists at Yale and other universities. The position is offered for one year, with the opportunity to renew based on performance and project needs. This position may be hired through a Kenya-based partner research firm.

Yale Inclusion Economics is a policy-based research initiative based out of the Yale Economic Growth Center (EGC) and Yale Macmillan Center, and works in collaboration with other researchers from Yale as well as other institutions, such as Inclusion Economics India Centre and Inclusion Economics Nepal. YIE draws upon economics, political science, and related fields to conduct cutting-edge research to understand how policy can promote inclusive, accountable economies and societies. Our core research focuses on gender as it relates to labor economics and broader economic empowerment, political economy and governance, and environmental economics.  

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Cleaning and managing large datasets;
• Conducting statistical analyses of data using Stata;
• Preparing literature reviews, background research, and other draft content for grant proposals and academic papers;
• Drafting project reports, slide-decks, research protocols, and other project documents;
• Working with field research teams and implementing partner organizations, including travel to study sites, especially across Kenya; and 
• Contributing to country office learning and knowledge sharing activities.

Requisite Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong quantitative background: This could include Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Data Science, International Development, or other degrees with substantial quantitative coursework
• Strong computer skills including programming in Stata and/or R. Skills in other programming languages like Python a plus but not required
• Strong academic record, and this is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a PhD in a related field
• Strong interest in public policy and economic development research
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written 
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to travel to research sites, including rural areas
• Preference will be given to candidates who speak Swahili and/or other languages spoken throughout Kenya.

Prior experience as a research assistant in Economics or a related field is preferred. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.