(Senior) Research and Training Associate - J-PAL Europe

Job Summary

The Europe office of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL Europe), based at the Paris School of Economics, is looking to hire a (Senior) Research and Training Associate to join the team working on a new Experimental Lab focused on Social Protection to be established in Uzbekistan. This lab aims to build the government’s capacity to use evidence in decision-making and to design and evaluate programs through rigorous impact evaluations.

This is a unique opportunity for a motivated early-career professional—especially those considering PhD or advanced policy roles—to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of research and training. The position blends traditional field research responsibilities with a structured role in capacity building.

Length of commitment : 1.5 years, with a possible extension

Key Responsibilities

Research Support (approx. 40%)

• Assist in the development of new project proposals, including identifying funding opportunities and managing relationships with donors and partners.
• Support the Researcher as well as the implementing partner in research design, desk reviews, and data cleaning.
• Conduct high-frequency checks and preliminary data analysis during ongoing surveys.
• Assist in drafting technical documents such as Terms of Reference (ToRs) and survey instruments.
• Coordinate with implementation partners and research staff to ensure smooth operations of field activities.
• Provide project management support to evaluations, ensuring alignment with J-PAL’s standards and local policy needs.
• Monitor and report on the progress of evaluation projects to partners, funders, and J-PAL Europe.

Training and Capacity Building (approx. 40%)

• Organize and manage in-person training programs in Tashkent for local partners, civil servants, and junior researchers.
• Coordinate the residency program for junior researchers hosted by the lab.
• Work closely with J-PAL Global to facilitate enrollment in the J-PAL/ MIT MicroMasters program and track participant progress.
• Collaborate with the Training Director to adapt and execute J-PAL’s training curriculum, including customizing modules and liaising with government stakeholders. 
• Organise and facilitate workshops, trainings, and seminars to increase the capacity of local policymakers and practitioners to engage with or manage rigorous impact evaluations.
• Policy

Development and Outreach (approx. 20%)

• Develop and maintain relationships with key partners in government, international organisations, non-profits, and the private sector to identify opportunities for rigorous evaluations.
• Create and disseminate policy materials, including evaluation summaries, policy briefs, and tailored presentations, ensuring that findings are accessible to stakeholders in Uzbekistan.
• Support the development of new partnerships to expand J-PAL’s work and foster a culture of evidence-based policymaking in Uzbekistan.
• Draft blogs, op-eds, and other materials that showcase the impact of J-PAL’s work on policy in Uzbekistan.
• Professional Development

As a (Senior) Research and Training Associate, you will gain hands-on experience at the intersection of research and training. The position blends traditional field research responsibilities with a structured role in capacity building.

J-PAL provides numerous opportunities for professional growth, including,

• Access to J-PAL’s extensive network of researchers and development professionals.
• Training in cutting-edge research methodologies and impact evaluations.
• Travel opportunities to policy events and research sites in Uzbekistan

Qualifications

Your strong organizational and communication skills, technical knowledge, passion for research, interest in developing teaching skills, and interest in science for policymaking makes you an ideal candidate for this role.

• Education: You hold a Master’s degree in economics, public policy or a closely related field, including coursework in microeconomics, econometrics, and causal inference. Candidates with Master’s-level degrees in other fields may be qualified as long as they have a strong and substantiated interest in quantitative research methods, including randomised evaluations. If you are currently studying for a PhD, and think you can compatibilize this job with your studies, we are also very interested in hearing from you. 
• Experience: At least one or two years of relevant work experience (a minimum of 4 years of experience for Senior position is required). Relevant work experience includes: research implementation or research assistant positions. Technical familiarity with randomized evaluations, impact evaluation methods, or research capacity building is strongly preferred. 
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently orally and in writing is required. Ability to build good relationships and work within a team; ability to communicate clearly with a broad range of stakeholders. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is a must. Fluency in Uzbek or Turkish would be a plus.
• Time Management: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time and meet deadlines. A willingness to work hard, be self-motivated and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
• Attention to Detail: Strong ability to self-manage a time-sensitive workflow while maintaining high quality output and absolute accuracy with details.
• Work style: Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize competing demands to deliver outputs in time and without compromising quality.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel internationally required. Position will require travel to Uzbekistan.
• Cultural competencies: you are comfortable and adept at working in a diverse and multicultural work environment, with colleagues, partners and policymakers from around the world. You display sensitivity, adaptability, and inclusivity in your engagement with people from diverse backgrounds. Interest, knowledge, or experience working in Eastern Europe or Central Asia is a plus. Interest, knowledge, or experience working in Uzbekistan is a strong plus.