Research Analyst – Technology and the Economy

IIHS seeks a qualified and committed Research Analyst to help with research and practice projects around the digitisation of the economy (including livelihoods, social protection, occupational shifts, job loss) in India and the Global South. The role involves public policy analysis, economics and economic sociology to track changes in the economy caused by technological changes including artificial intelligence.

Applicants must be interested in, and familiar with, the literature around AI, digital labour platforms and questions around the future economy in India.

This could be either a regular position or a 11- month contractual engagement, renewable on mutual consent, with the potential to turn into a regular position over time.

Activities and Tasks

Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Desk based research using secondary literature and data sources on new-age technology, and economic and livelihood shifts in the Global South;
• Assisting with the overview of methodologies to measure job-loss and occupational change in the Indian and Global South labour market;
• Providing assistance with framing research proposals, operations and methodology on key public issues relating to jobs and technology;
• Conducting data analysis from qualitative interviews using STATA;
• Conducting data analysis from surveys with women workers, using Excel, SPSS;
• Translating insights from quantitative analysis for academic writing, practice reports and popular media, including thinking through data design and communication:
• Assisting with writing reports, academic papers and other outputs;
• Providing assistance on teaching particular aspects of quantitative research methods or data visualisation for IIHS’ teaching and training programmes;
• Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice, operations and others;
• Participating in all activities of Institution-building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and traveling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.

Structure and Reporting

The research analyst will be an External Consultant coordinating with the Lead – Research at IIHS and will be required to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals/ organisations, and students.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate should have

• A Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, or the Social Sciences, with 1- 3 years of relevant experience;
• Knowledge of key debates in technology and society interface: relationship between digital platforms, AI, livelihoods, occupations, jobs and employment;
• Knowledge of key debates in the field of data governance, responsible AI;
• Basic knowledge of the key concepts of artificial intelligence;
• Basic experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and research ethics;
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office Suite, especially MS Excel;
• Ability to use SPSS, STATA and digital tools like Kobobox;
• Strong team working skills with the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams; good communications skills;
• The ability to read fast and widely, and to understand academic and grey literature within the humanities and market research.

This could be either a regular position or a 11- month contractual engagement, renewable on mutual consent, with the potential to turn into a regular position over time. This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Location

This position is based in Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India.

Review and Assessment

The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS.

Diversity Policy

IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions.