Fixed-term for 12 months initially, with possibility of extension (subject to funding). The post is expected to commence in summer 2024.
Professor Nava Ashraf, Professor of Economics in the LSE Department of Economics, and Professor Oriana Bandiera, Sir Anthony Atkinson Chair in Economics, are seeking to appoint a Predoctoral Research Assistant for the academic year 2024-25 to join the Altruistic Capital Lab in STICERD. Our work uses frontier methods to conduct research with organizations in employee motivation, education, and health. We are looking for individuals who are motivated by real world problems and capable of solving them using state-of-the-art statistical econometric techniques.
Projects
Ongoing projects include (i) a field experiment embedded in a multinational bank, investigating the diffusion and adoption of prosocial behaviour across the organisation; (ii) an evaluation of the productivity effects of a multinational rollout of reflective, purpose-orienting workshops; (iii) the design and evaluation of a private-sector led intervention aimed at overcoming behavioural barriers to reskilling amongst blue-collar workers; (iv) a project that investigates whether providing career opportunities for higher-skilled jobs at the local level in rural Zambia can create a virtuous cycle that improves health and educational outcomes over time in rural communities; (v) an evaluation examining the level of trust among micro, small and medium entrepreneurs across different marketplaces in Lusaka, Zambia and the extent to which local institutions can affect it. Current projects are based in the UK, Zambia, Uganda, and Colombia and leverage a unique model of co-generation of knowledge in close collaboration with field partners e.g., government agencies, NGOs, philanthropic organisations and for-profit firms.
About the role
This role is intended to serve as a bridge into a PhD. You will be exposed to all stages of research production, and carry out data analysis, literature reviews, project management and fieldwork. Applicants will have completed, by the post start date, a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) and/or Master’s degree in Economics or other related discipline with substantial quantitative work. You must have strong quantitative and data analysis skills, fluency with at least one statistical programming software (Stata preferred), a good understanding of randomised controlled trials, excellent organisational and planning skills, a strong grasp of current research in development and/or behavioural economics, fluency in written and spoken English, and the ability to convey complex technical information in a clear and accurate manner. The chosen candidate should be adept at partnership management, given our close collaborations with large organisations. You will be able to work under pressure, to multiple deadlines, and demonstrate a high level of initiative and self-motivation.
We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave, hybrid working and excellent training and development opportunities.
For further information about the post, please see the how to apply document, job description and person specification on the website.