Research Intern – Untouchability Project, UBC/USC – Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of 194 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research in India, leads J-PAL’s work in the South Asia region. J-PAL South Asia conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs. Over more than ten years of existence, J-PAL South Asia has conducted 193 ongoing and completed randomized evaluations.

Professors Matt Lowe (UBC) and Jeff Weaver (USC) and Anahita Karandikar (Graduate Student, UBC) are seeking an intern to assist with piloting for a project measuring untouchability norms in India. The duration of employment will be 12 weeks starting August 2023 and we prefer that selected candidates join as early as possible.

Location: India
Start Date (Earliest): 1 August 2023
Start Date (Latest): 31 August 2023
Length of Commitment: Less than one year

The role will involve travel to field sites in and around Lucknow, with possible travel to other states in North India, and the following responsibilities:

• Supervising the survey firm’s data collection activities, including but not limited to overseeing survey team training, accompanying phone and field surveys and conducting post-survey debriefs with participants
• Assisting with creating and reviewing SurveyCTO and questionnaire design
  Conducting literature reviews
• Assisting data cleaning in Stata and R

Desired qualifications:

• Proficiency in written and verbal communication in English and Hindi is required
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, public policy or allied disciplines
• Strong organizational and management skills
• Experience working with SurveyCTO and Stata or R is a plus
• Experience in field-based or phone-based data collection in India is a plus
• Remuneration: INR 25,000 per month

How to Apply
If interested, email anahita.rkarandikar@gmail.com with a CV and a short paragraph of why you would be a good fit for the role. We will consider applications on a rolling basis.