How to apply for Research / Senior Research Manager, Weather Data Systems (Weather Initiative)

About Precision Development

Precision Development is a nonprofit that provides digital information and services to people living in extreme poverty. Its work focuses on increasing productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. The weather initiative is a high-profile, fast-growing area with significant potential for impact and visibility.

About the role

You will design, test, evaluate, and scale evidence-based weather solutions for smallholder farmers. The role sits across research, programmatic, and service delivery functions, ensuring insights are embedded into implementation and government-facing engagements. You will work closely with researchers, government partners, and cross-functional teams.

A typical day

You might start by reviewing data from a weather pilot, then meet with researchers and program staff to adjust the evaluation plan. Later, you could join a call with government partners to discuss how findings can shape service delivery. The role mixes analysis, coordination, and stakeholder communication across research and program teams.

Who Precision Development is looking for

• Has strong research management skills, including designing and evaluating field studies or pilots.
• Is a proactive self-starter who can work fluidly across research, program, and service delivery teams.
• Has excellent stakeholder engagement abilities, especially with government partners and researchers.
• Has existing authorization to work in India and is based in India (remote).

Tips for this application

• State clearly in your application that you have existing authorization to work in India, since PxD cannot sponsor visas for this role.
• Highlight any experience managing research or evaluations related to weather, agriculture, or smallholder farmers.
• Show how you have embedded research findings into program implementation or operational decisions, not just produced reports.
• Mention specific examples of working with government partners or cross-functional teams on data-driven projects.
• Apply before the deadline of October 25, 2026, but note that applications may be reviewed as they are submitted, so submit early.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience designing, testing, or scaling weather or climate data solutions for smallholder farmers.', 'Your ability to manage research that informs program implementation and government engagements.', 'Your track record of stakeholder engagement with researchers, government officials, and cross-functional teams.', 'Your motivation to work at a nonprofit focused on digital information and services for people in extreme poverty.']

Research before applying

• Read PxD's website, especially any pages about the weather initiative and its digital services.
• Look for published research or evaluations from PxD on weather, agriculture, or smallholder farmers.
• Find out which government partners PxD works with in India on weather or agricultural data.
• Understand PxD's model of providing digital information and services to people in extreme poverty.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would design and evaluate a weather data system for smallholder farmers.
• Your experience working across research, program, and service delivery functions.
• A time you engaged government partners to use evidence for decision-making.
• How you handle iterative learning and adapt research when program needs change.
• Your understanding of PxD's weather initiative and how you would contribute to scaling it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without confirming you have existing authorization to work in India.
• Focusing only on academic research experience without showing how it informs program implementation.
• Ignoring the cross-functional nature of the role and presenting yourself as only a researcher or only a program manager.