Senior Research Associate (PROSPER Programme)

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking a Senior Research Associate in Development Economics to lead survey fieldwork and data management for ongoing randomized controlled trials. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in a quantitative discipline, proficiency in Stata, and relevant field experience. This role offers excellent benefits and a collaborative working environment. Candidates must be willing to travel frequently to support survey launches across developing-country settings.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

38 days' annual leave

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Qualifications

• You have strong experience with experimental methods and randomised evaluations.
• Experience running surveys in low- and middle-income countries.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and coordinate diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead on systems for high-quality data collection and management.
• Oversee survey and intervention design processes.
• Build effective field operations and management structures.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Proficiency in Stata

Field experience in surveys

Effective communication

Education

Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline

Tools

SurveyCTO

Qualtrics

Job description

Anchored at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, PROSPER tests scalable, evidence-based solutions – from smarter recruitment and job search tools to digitally enabled income support – to generate measurable gains for workers, firms, and economies. The programme is a multi-country collaboration of researchers from Oxford, Warwick, Duke, Northwestern, Berkeley, Peking, and RAND, J‑PAL Africa, the Busara Center for Behavioural Economics, REMIT, and NGO and government partners in Kenya and South Africa. As Senior Research Associate in Development Economics, you will work primarily with the survey fieldwork aspect of the operation, based at JPAL Africa in South Africa and the Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics and REMIT in Kenya. They are currently running three large-scale randomised controlled trials or longitudinal surveys and three more will be launched in the next three years. You will lead on building systems for ensuring high‑quality data is collected and appropriately managed; oversee survey and intervention design processes; and oversee the building of effective field operations and management structures.

An analytically strong and highly organised professional, you have (or will be nearing completion of) a Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline such as economics, statistics, mathematics, public policy, or development studies. Bringing solid technical training in experimental methods, survey-based research, and randomised evaluations, you are proficient in Stata and at least one data collection platform such as SurveyCTO or Qualtrics. With relevant field experience running surveys in low- and middle-income country contexts, you will possess the specialist economic knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to established research programmes. As a strategic, adaptable thinker who can manage multiple complex projects, coordinate diverse stakeholders, meet deadlines, and take ownership across all stages of project delivery, you will have exceptional communication, meticulous organisational skills, and demonstrated ability to build operational systems – spanning finance, HR, and data management – enabling you to excel in challenging environments. As a capable and collaborative leader, you work effectively with cross‑cultural research partners and are willing to travel frequently for extended periods to support survey launches across developing‑country settings.

Blavatnik School of Government, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award‑winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well‑known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family‑friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties. As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days' annual leave
• Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs