I am looking to hire one full-time Research Assistant (RA) to help me with my research in Punjab. The RA should be fluent in Punjabi. The study seeks to leverage a striking recent agricultural policy reform to improve our understanding of distortions in interlinked land and credit markets and their implications for farmers’ welfare. Co-investigators of this study are Prabhat Barnwal (Michigan State University) and Aprajit Mahajan (University of California, Berkeley).
JOB DESCRIPTION:
RA will be responsible for conducting exploratory research by interviewing farmers, arthiyas and mandi/market committee officials.
RA will assist in development of discussion guides/questionnaires, along with their translation and pilot testing.
RA will also help various other aspects of research such as data analysis, managing field surveys, writing grant proposals, and preparing policy briefs and presentations.
Ideally, the RA would begin work ASAP and commit to work for at least one month.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree with strong academic record and quantitative skills, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
While a degree in economics is not required, candidates should have strong interests in development economics (focus on agriculture is preferred).
Candidates with prior research/field experience, especially those who have worked conducting and supervising household surveys, are strongly preferred.
The succesful applicant should be resourceful, detail oriented and capable of taking ownership of the study.
Language proficiency (Punjabi) is required.
BENEFITS:
Salary is competitive, and compensation will be commensurate with experience.
The RA will have the opportunity to travel, gain field exposure and learn practical skills required to succeed in a graduate program in economics, public policy or a related discipline.
The RA will be join a small community of RAs and will be part of a dev econ reading group. There will be significant scope for professional development and mentoring as well. Previous RAs have gained admission at top PhD programs like UC San Diego and National University Singapore.
Although this is a short term assignment (1-2 months), the current assignment is part of a part of a larger study and the RA will also be considered for future project requirements, depending on quality of work and performance.
HOW TO APPLY?
Interested candidates should complete this online form.
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD community or any group that is under-represented in the economics profession are particularly encouraged to apply.
Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
LOCATION:
Mohali (preferred) but RA can be based out of any district in Punjab. Remote work from outside the state of Punjab is not possible.