Research Associate/Senior Research Associate – State Capacity Initiative – Centre for Policy Research

Apply by 15th July 22

The Centre for Policy Research (CPR) has been one of India’s leading public policy think tanks since 1973. The Centre is a non-profit, independent institution dedicated to conducting research that contributes to a more robust public discourse about the structures and processes that shape life in India.

CPR’s community of distinguished academics and practitioners represents views from many disciplines and across the political spectrum. Senior faculty collaborate with more than 50 young professionals and academics at CPR and with partners around the globe to investigate topics critical to India’s future. CPR engages around five broad themes: economic policy; environmental law and governance; international relations and security; law, regulation, and the state; and urbanisation.

Centre for State Capacity Initiate at CPR: The State Capacity Initiative at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) is a new interdisciplinary centre for research and practice focused on addressing the challenges of the 21st century Indian state: its roles, federal structure, institutional design, organizational forms and culture, administrative reforms, the everyday life of local bureaucracies and frontline functionaries, knowledge resources, regulatory and fiscal capacity, and the complex and changing relations between society, politics and state capacity.

Duration: 2 years and extendable (immediate start)

About the position: The State Capacity Initiative (SCI) is looking for a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate with a strong interest in working on questions of the bureaucracy and administrative reform in India. In particular, we are hiring for a set of projects on understanding the work performed by bureaucrats, factors that motivate them to perform, administrative culture, and individual competencies.

Location : The position is based out of Delhi with frequent travel to Meghalaya (and potentially other states in the future) for fieldwork.

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates meeting the following eligibility criteria may consider applying for this position.

1. Hold a master’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, Public Administration, or interdisciplinary social sciences from a reputed Indian or foreign university.

2. A minimum of 3 (three) years of relevant work experience, preferably in research involving fieldwork. 3. Strong background in conducting fieldwork and employing qualitative analysis in research. The candidate must be able to independently conduct, synthesise and analyse qualitative data.

4. Possess excellent research and writing skills including the ability to undertake thorough literature reviews.

5. Have a demonstrated interest (either through academic writings or work experience) in the working of the Indian bureaucracy and Administrative State. 6. Be organized and able to manage a large, evolving project. Reporting: The candidate will work with and report to Dr. K Rahul Sharma (Associate Fellow), Dr. Mekhala Krishnamurthy (Senior Fellow and Director, SCI), Remuneration: Competitive think tank salary commensurate with the candidate’s experience

Application Instructions:

● Please submit your CV and cover letter to statecapacity@cprindia.org.

● The subject of the email should be: “RA/SRA_Qual_YOURNAME”

● Last date of submission, 15th July 2022

● All applications will be reviewed starting immediately and eligible candidates will be invited for an interview (either at our office in New Delhi or online). The position will be open until filled