Senior Associate Director, Research and Policy
About the Trust
The University of Chicago Trust (the Trust) is a charitable trust in India, established in 2008 by an alumnus of The University of Chicago. The Trust’s objectives are to provide opportunities for grants to support educational programs, research programs, and activities for the betterment of India.
The Development Innovation Lab – India (DIL-India)
DIL-India, based at the Trust in India, is dedicated to using the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people. We work in health, education, agriculture, climate change, road safety, and other areas. We do so by collaborating with government agencies, firms, and non-profits in India to identify, test, and scale evidence-based solutions.
DIL-India has a fast-growing portfolio of research and policy initiatives. For example, in 2026, DIL-India supported the Government of India to deliver AI-based monsoon onset forecasts to almost 50 million farmers. We are also working closely with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and other collaborators to identify and test safe water solutions that could be deployed at scale. We estimate that universal delivery of treated water in rural India would avert more than 1 lakh child deaths per year. DIL conducted pilots of in-line chlorination with the government of Odisha. We are now focused on contracting, management, and monitoring systems to allow delivery at scale. We are also working with a number of partners in ed tech to refine the potential of personalized adaptive learning to improve learning outcomes at scale. We are additionally working on research projects about road safety and anticipate a growing pipeline of research projects.
Position Description
The Senior Associate Director of Research & Policy will oversee DIL-India’s research, dissemination, and partnerships activities across its active portfolios - including education, water, and road safety - as well as new and emerging projects. This role involves close collaboration with Nobel Laureate Michael Kremer, the Executive Director of DIL-India, and Lead Researchers based at the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago. The AD will oversee research implementation and policy engagement across portfolios, from study design and data collection, through stakeholder dissemination and evidence update. Candidates must have a strong background in development economics, research methods, and evidence-based policymaking, with a demonstrated ability to translate findings into actionable recommendations for government and other partners using findings to inform decision-making. The AD will be a self-motivated leader who can build relationships, engage with multicultural teams, execute on organizational goals, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of research projects across DIL-India's research and policy portfolios, working closely with principal investigators to ensure research quality while remaining sensitive to local needs and context.
Ensure the research is well supported and well-run, including allocating staffing, checking for accuracy, ensuring field work is well planned and supported, and staff are coordinating closely with PI guidance.
Create and support informed, accurate, and compelling proposals and project plans for both resource mobilization (grants, awards, gifts, etc.) and implementation that align with organizational goals and objectives.
Ensure efficient allocation, monitoring, and reporting of project resources, including contributing to annual budget development and maintaining accountability for the disbursement and appropriate use of approved expenditures.
Establish and enforce safeguards for monitoring, accountability, and compliance of operations, in accordance with research directives, policy guidance, IRB protocols, University of Chicago Trust policies (including and especially the code of conduct), and applicable law.
Oversee and contribute to Institutional Review Board applications for human subject research projects initiated at the Trust
On occasion, work as a principal investigator on select studies.
Lead policy engagement and outreach to key stakeholders across relevant states, coordinating across DIL-India’s research and policy portfolios, and developing new collaborations for the organization.
Ensure research findings are disseminated and targeted at relevant stakeholders; facilitate better evidence-based decision-making through events, publications and close engagement with partners throughout the research process.
Support programmatic recruiting in accordance with UChicago Trust policies and applicable law; provide leadership, mentorship and direction to current and incoming DIL-India research and policy staff, including Predoctoral Associates, Research and/or Policy Associates, and Research and/or Policy Managers.
Support DIL India’s strategic vision, maintain, cultivate, and, when necessary, initiate relationships with key partners in governments, NGOs, firms, foundations, and multilateral aid agencies across education, water, road safety, and other emerging research and policy portfolios
Perform other related work as assigned by the Executive Director and in support of organizational missions and objectives.
Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree in economics, public policy, or related fields.
PhD in economics, public policy or related fields preferred
Experience
Ten or more years of relevant work experience, including implementation of development economics research and informing decision-making in India. PhD can count for up to 3 years of experience.
Familiarity with microeconomics and econometrics; candidates from a policy background or related academic background who can demonstrate similar knowledge, and competencies will also be considered.
Competencies
Strong knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural context in India including deep familiarity with relevant academic research especially in the field of economics.
Demonstrated ability to manage and maintain high-level relationships with governments, international development practitioners, and/or academic researchers.
Experience or familiarity with development research themes in Agriculture, Public health, WASH or Education and EdTech is preferred.
Experience with evidence-based public policy in South Asia low- or middle-income countries (LMICs)
Productive collaboration skills for successfully coordinating multiple stakeholders in achieving shared goals.
Collaboration, and a track record of successfully implementing change,
Organizing policy events as well as producing policy resources and publications.
Implementing large-scale programs in coordination with diverse stakeholders.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills in English.
Fluency in spoken Hindi and other Indian languages is preferred.
Effective project management skills, including managing and successfully working across teams, budgeting, attention to operational and research details, and ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Expert problem-solving and analytical skills.
Work Conditions
Based in Delhi with regular travel throughout India to project locations, including rural India.
Occasional travel to the United States
Applicant must be legally authorized to work in India.
This is a two-year position subject with a possible renewal if funding is available.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
References’ Contact Information (3 required)
Writing sample (required)