Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Associate - J-PAL North America

at Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

🏢 About Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

J-PAL North America is unique as MIT's research center dedicated exclusively to poverty reduction through rigorous randomized evaluations. Unlike typical think tanks, they bridge academic research with real-world policy implementation, ensuring evidence directly informs social programs. Working here means contributing to poverty solutions with scientific rigor at one of the world's premier research institutions.

About This Role

This Research Associate role involves supporting the entire lifecycle of randomized evaluations - from designing studies and securing data access to managing research partnerships. You'll directly impact poverty policy by ensuring evaluations are methodologically sound and practically implementable, bridging academic research with on-the-ground program implementation.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning meetings with academic researchers to refine evaluation designs, followed by analyzing administrative data sets in Stata or R. Afternoons could include drafting evaluation memos, coordinating with government or nonprofit partners on implementation logistics, and preparing IRB documentation - all while ensuring research maintains methodological rigor.

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🎯 Who Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Is Looking For

  • Has experience conducting systematic literature reviews in economics or social sciences, not just general research
  • Can demonstrate specific data analysis skills (Stata/R/Python) with examples of cleaning administrative data or conducting impact analysis
  • Has managed multi-stakeholder research projects with academic and non-academic partners
  • Has written technical research design documents, not just general reports or papers

📝 Tips for Applying to Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

1

Highlight specific experience with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental designs in your resume - J-PAL's entire methodology is built on RCTs

2

Mention any experience with IRB processes or administrative data access - these are explicit responsibilities in the job description

3

Reference specific J-PAL evaluations you admire (like their work on education or labor programs) to show genuine interest in their methodology

4

Quantify your project management experience with research timelines, stakeholder numbers, or data volumes managed

5

Demonstrate understanding of both academic rigor and policy implementation - J-PAL bridges these two worlds

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Specific experience with randomized evaluation methodologies and why you're committed to this approach", 'Examples of managing relationships between academic researchers and implementation partners', 'Technical writing samples or experience with research design memos (mention specific documents if possible)', "How your skills align with J-PAL's dual mission of rigorous research and practical policy impact"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read at least 2-3 J-PAL evaluation summaries from their website to understand their specific methodology
  • → Research J-PAL North America's current initiatives and partnerships (beyond just MIT affiliation)
  • → Understand the difference between J-PAL's approach and other poverty research organizations
  • → Review their policy outreach work to see how research translates to policy change

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would design a randomized evaluation for a specific social program
2 Describe a time you navigated IRB approval or data access challenges for research
3 How do you manage competing priorities between academic rigor and partner timelines in research projects?
4 What J-PAL evaluation has impressed you most and why?
5 How would you explain randomization to a non-technical program implementation partner?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on general poverty interest without demonstrating understanding of randomized evaluation methodology
  • Presenting as purely academic without showing ability to work with implementation partners
  • Not having specific examples of managing the practical aspects of research (IRB, data access, partner management)

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

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Good luck with your application to Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)!

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