Research Fellow - London School of Economics

Job Summary: Associate Professor Michael Callen is looking to hire one highly skilled and motivated pre-doctoral research assistant to work as part of his research team for at least a year. The position will involve assistance with all stages of empirical research in development economics, behavioral economics, and political economy, with an emphasis on fragile states. 

The studies typically explore evidence-driven, policy-relevant research questions related to political institutions, humanitarian aid, and the role of technology in countries such as Afghanistan, Nepal, and Pakistan. Studies are varied in both question and method, with current work including research exploring how to cost-effectively deliver humanitarian aid to hard-to-reach populations; how educational programs can be delivered to excluded populations in authoritarian countries; informing Nepal’s political transition to federalism; and exploring and leveraging mobile technologies to develop state capacity. 

Fellows are exposed to cutting-edge topics and research methods. This position is data-intensive, and the selected candidate will be expected to analyze survey data, administrative data, and intervention monitoring data. Good writing skills are valued, as the selected candidate will participate in drafting policy briefs, grant applications and reports. The Research Assistant will work closely together with Professor Callen and other academic economists at LSE and other top research universities. The position is offered for one year, with the possibility of a second-year renewal. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, particularly women, people of color and other marginalized communities which have historically been underrepresented in the field of economics.

The research assisting will work in the Suntory Toyota Center for Economics and Related Disciplines (STICERD) in the Economics Department at the London School of Economics. STICERD is a leading applied economics research group in Europe.