Senior Research Associate - J-PAL -Latin America and the Caribbean

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 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 evaluations across dozens of countries, organized in 12 sectors. In Latin America, J-PAL LAC supports a growing portfolio of evaluations across the region.

J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

• Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that fund research. We also implement RCTs 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 executive training and develop 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 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 Memorandum of Understanding with Insper for work in Brazil and the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala for work in Central America.

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, teams in Guatemala and Mexico, and project staff in several 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 Project:

This project studies the effects of platform-based gig work on the workers who perform these jobs, focusing on two complementary dimensions. First, it examines how expanding access to the assets needed to perform this work — specifically, motorcycles — affects workers' economic outcomes and well-being. Second, it studies how different on-the-job experiences shape workers' worldviews, aspirations, and social preferences. The project is conducted in partnership with a start-up that works with prospective gig workers. The research is led by Pedro Carrega Sant'Anna, a PhD student in Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in collaboration with J-PAL LAC.

Summary of the Role:

Support the preparation and implementation of pilot and full-scale interventions by developing intervention materials and conducting data analysis.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and program questionnaires in Qualtrics
• Prepare other experiment materials, such as recruitment materials or participant communications
• Prepare, clean, and manage datasets using software such as Stata or R
• Conduct data quality checks and help identify issues during data collection
• Support pilot activities and the implementation of interventions
• Support communication with project partners

Qualifications:

• Education: A master's or doctoral degree in economics, political science, public policy, or a related field. Preference will be given to recent graduates. Knowledge of the design and analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) is essential, including a solid command of the associated terminology, statistical procedures, and concepts.
• Languages: This job is based in Brazil, so full proficiency in Portuguese is a must. Advanced English is needed as you will also interact frequently with the Global and regional teams.
• Experience: At least one year of professional experience, including research assistance experience during undergraduate, master's, and/or PhD programs. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the implementation and evaluation of RCTs or similar research projects.

Soft Skills:

• Communication (written and verbal)
• Stakeholder management
• Attention to detail
• Analytical thinking
• Organization and time management
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Critical thinking
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects

Analytical Skills:

• Impact evaluation (RCTs)
• Experimental design
• Data cleaning and management
• Programming for data analysis (Stata, R, Python)
• Data analysis
• Survey design and implementation

Technical and Statistical Tools:

Qualtrics (Advanced); advanced knowledge of some statistical software (preferably R or Stata); LaTeX is a plus.

Work Permissions:

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

Location:

São Paulo, Brazil. The position requires the person to be based in São Paulo. Work arrangement is flexible — combination of on-site and remote work.