Research Associate - Urban Economy and Employment

Job Description

Job Description We seek applications for a Research Associate to join a 4-year research project on Bengalurus economy. This research project focuses broadly on how cities in developing countries can generate equitable growth trajectories and broad-based employment opportunities with decent wages in light of premature deindustrialisation (Rodrik 2016) and persistent informality (Chen 2012). By focusing on manufacturing enterprises in Bengaluru, a megacity with a substantial services-based economy, we propose to address the following questions. Is formal manufacturing moving further away from the city, as land prices escalate and due to demands for better environmental management within city boundaries What implications does this have for employment opportunities in the city of Bengaluru In addressing this question, we will also attempt to build a new base of evidence about enterprises along the formal-informal continuum at the city scale. We seek a person who is interested in issues of urban economic development and employment in Indian cities. We are particularly interested in candidates who are interested in experimenting with empirical and mixed methods such as integrating spatial datasets and exploiting alternative sources for economic data besides primary surveys for example the relationship between land use change and industrialisation transformation, an analysis that includes but also goes beyond conventional data bases. The Research Associate will be part of the process of expanding ongoing research at IIHS on urban economic development and employment. Activities and Tasks Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following: Assisting with primary and secondary research related to the GCRF-PEAK project on Urban Economy and Employment; Carrying out literature surveys of existing work on urban economic development and employment with a particular focus on Bengalurus economy, and on deindustrialization in cities of the Global South; Collating existing secondary datasets as well as building new datasets (both quantitative and spatial) related to enterprises and employment in Bengaluru; Collecting primary data (both qualitative and quantitative) on employment dynamics; Application of known quantitative methodologies as well as development of new and innovative methodologies to build a deeper understanding of Bengalurus economy; Providing writing assistance on reports, academic papers and other outputs as part of the project; Involvement with other related research and practice projects at the proposed School of Economic Development and the Urban Informatics Lab at IIHS; Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice and operations; Participating in all activities of Institution-building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and travelling on IIHS work within or outside the country as needed. Structure and Reporting The Research Associate will report to the Senior Consultant Academics & Research at IIHS and will be required to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals/organisations, and students. Person Specification Applicants should have : A Masters degree (or higher) in a relevant field such as (but not limited to) economics, public policy, economic geography, development economics, geography, urban planning or statistics; Expertise in mathematics, statistics, or econometrics; Proficiency in Excel / Stata / R; 3-5 years of work experience on economic policy, urban data science, urban informatics, mathematics or statistics; Familiarity with data sources such as the Census and the National Sample Surveys; An interest in experimenting with or developing new methods as well as building new empirical evidence to study the urban economy and employment. Candidates with a basic knowledge of GIS or experience working with spatial datasets; experience with leading or being part of field research projects in Indian cities; and working knowledge of Kannada and/or Tamil would be at an advantage. This is a contractual position for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual consent. This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Location This position is based in Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India. Review and Assessment The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS. Diversity Policy IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions. Contact Please write to us at hr [at] iihs dot co dot in if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.

Keyskills :
mathematicseconomic developmentliteraturegeographyeconomicsstatistics