Research Analyst Global Poverty Research Lab

The Global Poverty Research Lab (GPRL) at Northwestern University is seeking full-time Research Analysts to join their team and support research on social protection, cognitive behavioral therapy, agricultural extension services, social networks in the labor market, women’s mobility, and other topics related to poverty reduction. GPRL generates empirical evidence across more than 10 countries in the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, China, and Southeast Asia. The lab’s work focuses on understanding the impacts of policies and programs designed to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of marginalized populations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Data Analysis & Preparation:

  • Clean and prepare datasets for analysis, utilizing advanced statistical and econometric techniques.
  • Conduct literature reviews for research papers, grants, and analysis plans.

• Research Support:

  • Assist with project development, including scoping activities, designing statistical analysis plans, and ensuring proper communication with research collaborators.
  • Collaborate with implementing partners, addressing any non-technical concerns about study designs.
  • Participate in study design tasks such as power calculations, randomization, and sample selection.

• Project and Grant Management:

  • Help draft grant proposals and reports, ensuring accurate and clear presentation of research findings.
  • Support institutional review board (IRB) applications and modifications.

• Data Collection & Monitoring:

  • Contribute to questionnaire design and help program survey instruments using SurveyCTO or Qualtrics.
  • Run data quality checks and provide feedback to partners to improve data collection processes.
  • Develop monitoring tools and support the monitoring of research projects.

• Lab Management & Training:

  • Mentor and train new research analysts, lead onboarding sessions, and oversee undergraduate research analysts.
  • Support logistics for lab-hosted events and contribute to the development of research resources.

• Research Dissemination:

  • Prepare tables, figures, and data replication packages for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Present research findings to faculty and stakeholders, incorporating feedback into further analysis.

Qualifications:

• Required:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Economics or a related quantitative field.
  • Strong programming skills in Stata (or similar statistical software) with the ability to learn new tools.
  • Quantitative skills, particularly in econometrics and statistics.
  • Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Preferred:

  • Experience working or living in a developing country.
  • Familiarity with other statistical software like R, Python, or ArcGIS.
  • Experience with digital data collection tools like SurveyCTO.

Salary:

• $58,500 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health care plans, retirement benefits, and tuition discounts.
• Work-life balance initiatives including flexible work arrangements and family care support.
• Professional development resources to support career growth.