Associate in Research / Pre Doctoral Research Fellow - DevLab@Duke/ Duke University Department of Economics

Summary of the Organization      

The role will be in-person based at the Duke Development Economics Lab (DevLab@Duke) within the Department of Economics at Duke University.

 DevLab@Duke is an applied research center that connects social scientists focused on international development with the development practitioner community to advance evaluable programming for policy impact. Led by economist Erica Field, the lab includes development economics faculty, research staff, and graduate students across departments and schools at Duke, representing experience in a broad range of areas such as economic growth, education, gender, governance, health, and labor markets. The lab collaborates with academic, government, and industry partners to:  develop evidence-informed programming; collect high-quality monitoring and evaluation data; conduct methodologically rigorous impact evaluations; and publish and share findings with the wider academic and policy communities.

Through these activities, DevLab@Duke seeks to broaden and promote scientific knowledge on what works in-context to improve economic and human development outcomes of the world’s most vulnerable people.

 Summary of the Role

The Associate in Research/ Pre Doctoral Research Fellow (“Predoc”) will work with Professor Erica Field and co-PIs on applied experimental micro-economic development research directed at informing public policy in low- and middle-income countries. The Predoc’s primary duties include data cleaning and management, as well as assisting with statistical and econometric analysis on a variety of international projects. They will also participate in the design and

implementation of survey instruments used to collect data from field projects. In ensuring quality fieldwork, they will act as liaisons between project field teams and the PIs. They will be expected to assist with drafting initial results, reports for funders and other stakeholders, conference presentations, and research papers. The Predoc will help with composition of grant proposal preparation and other related documents. When needed, the Predoc will travel to the field to help launch and manage field projects, as well as to familiarize themselves with these projects.

The Predoc position typically lasts one year, during which the Predoc will work alongside the PIs in developing their own research interests and expertise in development economics. The Predoc will be expected to contribute to DevLab@Duke activities, advancement, and community building. 

Responsibilities

Work Performed:

• Data cleaning and management (30% effort)
• Statistical and econometric analysis (20% effort)
• Research support, preparation of manuscripts and related documents (20% effort) Fieldwork, management of field activities and operations (30% effort) 

Requirements

• Qualifying candidates will be graduates of well-regarded undergraduate or masters programs in economics and related fields, as well as:
• Strong quantitative and statistical skills
• Proficiency in programming with STATA
• Significant coursework and experience in economics, statistics, public policy and international development
• Strong interest in international development policy and research
• Excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player
• Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time, successfully complete tasks assigned, and meet deadlines.
• A willingness to work hard, be self-motivated and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
• Motivation to travel internationally
• Experience in managing teams and interacting with institutional partners strongly desired
• Prior research experience preferred, particularly in conducting field research in developing countries and with randomized evaluations
• Graduate level coursework is a plus
• Experience living and working in LMIC’s is a plus

Additional Information

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; please apply as soon as possible for full consideration
• The start date of the position is summer 2025, with some flexibility to accommodate the availability of the selected candidate
• Duke University provides visa sponsorship for chosen applicant if needed

Job Description: 2025_DevLab Duke University Predoc.pdf