How to apply for Research Associate, Safe Drinking Water
Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
About Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
J-PAL is a global research center at MIT that uses randomized controlled trials to fight poverty. Working here means contributing to evidence-based policy that impacts millions of lives, with a strong focus on rigorous data and collaboration with governments.
About the role
This role is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water in rural India by optimizing chlorination through taste tests. You'll lead data collection in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, directly influencing public health interventions and policy decisions.
A typical day
A typical day might involve traveling to a field site in Odisha, overseeing a team conducting taste tests, and checking data quality on SurveyCTO. You might spend the afternoon cleaning data in R, coordinating with government partners, and preparing for the next day's logistics.
Who Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is looking for
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Tips for this application
- Highlight any experience with randomized evaluations or field experiments, even if from coursework or prior jobs. - Emphasize your proficiency in R or Stata with specific examples of data cleaning and analysis projects. - Showcase your SurveyCTO skills or similar mobile data collection platforms; mention any programming of forms you've done. - Demonstrate your language skills clearly, specifying your level in Odia or Telugu and any experience working in rural India. - Tailor your resume to include any public health or water quality projects, showing your passion for this specific issue.
- In your cover letter, mention why you're drawn to J-PAL's mission and how your skills align with conducting taste tests and managing field teams. - If you have experience training or supervising field staff, be sure to detail that. - Address your willingness to travel extensively and adapt to remote conditions. - Double-check that your application materials are error-free and formatted professionally, as J-PAL values attention to detail.
What to cover in your cover letter
- Your understanding of the importance of safe drinking water and your motivation to contribute to this research. - Specific examples of your technical skills in R/Stata and SurveyCTO, and how they apply to data collection and analysis. - Your experience in managing field teams and coordinating with multiple stakeholders, such as government partners. - Your language proficiency and cultural adaptability, especially if you have experience working in Odisha or Andhra Pradesh.
Draft a cover letterResearch before applying
- Read J-PAL's research on water, sanitation, and health to understand their methodologies and findings. - Look into the specific context of drinking water chlorination in India, including any government programs or policies. - Familiarize yourself with the geography and languages of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and any cultural considerations for taste tests. - Review J-PAL's mission and history to understand their approach to poverty alleviation and evidence-based policy.
Likely interview topics
Based on the job description, expect questions about:
- How would you design a blinded taste test to compare different chlorine concentrations? What potential biases would you consider? - Describe a time you managed a field team during data collection. How did you ensure data quality and team morale? - How would you handle unexpected logistical challenges in remote areas, such as travel delays or equipment failures? - Explain your experience with SurveyCTO. How would you program a survey with skip logic and validation checks? - What steps would you take to maintain real-time data quality monitoring, and how would you address missing data?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Avoid submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't show specific interest in water research or J-PAL's work. - Don't downplay the importance of language skills; if you lack Odia or Telugu, emphasize your willingness to learn and any related experience. - Don't ignore the need for field management experience; if you lack it, highlight transferable skills like project coordination or team leadership.
Deadline
No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.