Home
Jobs

Research Associate - Tamil Nadu Aging portfolio

2 - 5 years

9 - 13 Lacs

Posted:3 days ago| Platform: Naukri logo

Apply

Work Mode

Work from Office

Job Type

Full Time

Job Description

Location:

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Length of Commitment:

1 year

Education:

Bachelors/Masters in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy or related fields

Language requirement:

English and Tamil

PIs:

Esther Duflo (MIT), Dr. Girija Vaidyanathan (Retd. IAS), Frank Schilbach (MIT) and others
 

Project Description:

The Research Associate (RA) will be an integral part of the Tamil Nadu Aging (TNAging) Portfolio, a long-standing collaborative initiative between J-PAL South Asia and the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at improving the well-being of the elderly through evidence-informed policymaking. The RA will work across one or more studies under this portfolio, including longitudinal surveys, randomized evaluations (community-based mental health interventions, machine learning for health screening, etc.), and implementation pilots (study on caregivers of elders, etc.)). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to rigorous policy-relevant research, while engaging deeply with government systems.

 

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Research Design and Data Management
  • Assist in designing and refining survey instruments and qualitative research tools.
  • Lead or support pilot testing, backchecks, and monitoring of survey protocols.
  • Manage data quality processes, including field validations, cleaning, and preliminary analysis in Stata/R.
  • Develop and maintain daily data tracking and progress dashboards.
  • Uphold data security, research ethics, and compliance with J-PAL and IRB protocols.
  • Field and Operations Management
  • Supervise day-to-day field activities, including recruitment, training, and oversight of field teams (surveyors, field managers, data operators).
  • Liaise closely with government officials and partner organizations to ensure effective on-ground coordination.
  • Oversee implementation of study protocols and ensure timelines and quality benchmarks are met.
  • Conduct regular visits to field sites across Tamil Nadu to ensure high-quality data collection and troubleshoot operational challenges.
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
  • Maintain strong relationship with multiple departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu and other key partners.
  • Provide regular updates, process notes, and documentation to stakeholders.
  • Support dissemination efforts, including creation of reports, policy briefs, and presentations with clear visualizations.
  • Share timely insights with policymakers to inform real-time decisions.
  • Team Collaboration
  • Support and collaborate with other RAs, field team and team members across the TNAging Portfolio.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

Required
  • Bachelors/Masters degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related fields.
  • Proficiency in Stata/R is non-negotiable; experience with data visualization tools is a plus.
  • Strong Tamil and English communication skills (Tamil, spoken would suffice).
  • Demonstrated ability to manage teams and juggle multiple tasks with attention to detail.
  • Willingness to live in Chennai and travel extensively to rural field sites across Tamil Nadu.
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems in real time.
Preferred
  • Prior experience with randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental methods.
  • Experience in research, monitoring evaluation, or development programs/impact evaluations of at least a year.
  • Experience working with government systems or in public sector partnerships.
  • Familiarity with issues of aging, rural health, mental health, or social protection.

Mock Interview

Practice Video Interview with JobPe AI

Start Machine Learning Interview
cta

Start Your Job Search Today

Browse through a variety of job opportunities tailored to your skills and preferences. Filter by location, experience, salary, and more to find your perfect fit.

Job Application AI Bot

Job Application AI Bot

Apply to 20+ Portals in one click

Download Now

Download the Mobile App

Instantly access job listings, apply easily, and track applications.

coding practice

Enhance Your Skills

Practice coding challenges to boost your skills

Start Practicing Now

RecommendedJobs for You

Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru