Senior Researcher

Social & Economic Research Initiative (SERI); Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A research-focused think tank seeks a detail-oriented Senior Researcher to lead the development of research projects that explore gender and work issues. The role requires expertise in research design, strong analytical skills, and significant experience in policy roles, preferably within academic or NGO settings. Candidates should demonstrate strong writing capabilities and a proactive approach to managing timelines while contributing to impactful policy recommendations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a research or policy role.
• Experience leading a research team and executing complex research projects.
• Interest in socio-economic development, labour, and gender in Malaysia.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a research project.
• Design research proposals and methodologies.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret research data.

Skills

Leadership in research

Analytical skills

Strong writing skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Master’s degree in relevant field

Bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant experience

Tools

NVivo

SPSS

Stata

Excel

Job description

Social and Economic Research Initiative (SERI) is a non‑partisan think tank dedicated to advancing evidence‑based policies that bridge the gap between the haves and the have‑nots and building a more inclusive society that enables all Malaysians to thrive.

Position Overview: SERI is looking for a detail‑oriented Senior Researcher to lead our dynamic research team. In this role, you will be tasked to lead the development and production of a research project that focuses on the intersection of gender and work. The successful candidate will collaborate on designing the research framework, developing hypotheses, analysing data and driving policy recommendations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a research project.
• Assist in the development of the research design proposal, including but not limited to contextualising the research problem, determining the research objectives, and proposing research methodology and analysis.
• Draft the research outline.
• Delegate research assignments to team members and monitor progress.
• Collaborate with team members to achieve research objectives.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret primary research data.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records of research findings.
• Conduct literature reviews and background research.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports and presentations.
• Present research findings to relevant stakeholders.
• Handle administrative tasks related to research activities.
• Write articles on relevant topics for both organisational and public interest.
• Attend relevant networking events that would benefit research objectives.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in economics, political science, public policy, law, social sciences, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant experience will also be considered.
• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a research or policy role, preferably within a think tank, academic, or NGO environment.
• Demonstrate experience leading a research team and ability in designing and executing a complex research project.
• Strong writing and skills with a track record of producing high-quality publications.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to distil findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, able to communicate complex quantitative concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Comfortable working both independently and in a team.
• Proactive in managing multiple timelines and deliverables.
• Proficient in qualitative and/or quantitative analysis tools, such as but not limited to NVivo, SPSS, Stata, and Excel.
• Interest in studying the intersection of socio‑economic development, labour and gender in Malaysia is highly preferred.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders such as government agencies, NGOs, funders, or media is an added advantage.

Send your resume and cover letter, alongside some writing samples to [e-mail]