Senior Research Associate, LEAD at Krea University

Location: New Delhi
Reports to: Senior Research Fellow
Assignment Length: Full-time position
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience 

About LEAD at Krea University: 

LEAD is an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society (a not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act), leverages the power of research, innovation and co-creation to solve complex and pressing challenges in development. LEAD specialises in developing in-depth granular understanding of socio-economic contexts and harnessing actionable insights that have a wide range of applications in industry, policy, and academia. LEAD is a collaborative hub that brings experts from diverse disciplines and sectors together to develop innovative solutions by harnessing innovation, technology and analytics.

Position Summary:

The Senior Research Associate will play a critical role in designing and executing high-quality research and evaluation studies within the Small, Growing Businesses and Employment (SGBE) vertical. The role demands strong analytical and econometric skills, experience with primary data systems, and a grounding in livelihoods, women’s economic empowerment, small business ecosystems, and entrepreneurship.

Responsibilities:

Research Design & Methodology

• Lead the development of research frameworks, study designs, and analytical plans for entrepreneurship and livelihoods-focused projects;
• Contribute to sampling strategies, power calculations, and identification of appropriate econometric approaches (DID, PSM, panel analysis, growth modelling, enterprise performance metrics, etc.);
• Integrate mixed-methods approaches—quantitative, qualitative, and process evaluation—into study designs;
• Contribute to building stronger evaluation frameworks, ToCs, indicator libraries, and analytical templates within the vertical.
  

Data Management & Primary Data Systems

• Design and oversee end-to-end primary data processes: tool development, piloting, digital deployment (SurveyCTO, etc), monitoring of field protocols, and quality control;
• Ensure rigorous data cleaning workflows, documentation, and reproducible coding practices (Stata/R/Python);
• Coordinate closely with field teams to ensure data fidelity, troubleshoot issues, and maintain high-quality datasets.
  

Data Analysis, Statistical Modelling & Insights

• Lead quantitative data analysis using advanced statistical and econometric techniques, including: enterprise performance modelling, livelihood outcome analysis, gender-differentiated analysis, multivariate regression, impact pathways analysis, etc.;
• Build analytical dashboards, summary tables, and visual insights that feed into donor reports and internal strategy discussions;
• Interpret findings beyond descriptive analysis to derive actionable insights for programme design and policy recommendations.

Project Management & Ownership

• Serve as the primary anchor for assigned projects (impact assessments, baselines, MEL diagnostics, enterprise ecosystem studies);
• Manage timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communication to ensure high-quality outputs;
• Coordinate with finance, field partners, and external agencies to ensure all components of the project run smoothly;
• Support strategic vertical initiatives (e.g., government dataset analysis, entrepreneurship ecosystem mapping, methodological innovations).

Writing, Documentation & Communication

• Draft high-quality research reports, baseline & endline reports, policy briefs, donor presentations, and internal memos;
• Translate analytical findings into clear narratives aligned with donor expectations;
• Support publication efforts, ie, working papers, blogs, conference notes, on small business and entrepreneurship themes.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Liaise with implementation partners, CSR teams, government counterparts, and academic collaborators, when needed;
• Represent SGBE in project meetings, inception discussions, and donor reviews when needed.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications and Experiences

• Postgraduate in Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Data Science, or related fields;
• 3-4+ years of experience in research, impact evaluation, or data analytics—preferably in livelihoods, entrepreneurship, MSMEs, women’s economic empowerment, or financial inclusion;
• Strong proficiency in Stata/R/Python and quantitative modelling;
• Experience working with primary data and field-based research operations;
• Strong writing, communication, and stakeholder-handling skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and independently.

Application Instructions: 

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, please collate your resume, a cover letter and a writing sample and apply in the form here. 

Note: Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each candidate individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purposes.