Junior Research Scientist

Job description

Description:

Africa House is seeking to hire a Junior Research Scientist to support the research of Director Professor Yaw Nyarko, which includes African economic development, technological adaption, and commodities markets for a one-year fixed term position.

Primary duties will include research support for academic projects, such as writing bibliographies, literature reviews, and policy briefs.

The Junior Research Scientist will also work on research and programs for the affiliate NYU Development Research Institute and NYU Center for Technology, Economics, and Development – CTED.

Our ideal candidate is a committed, responsible, highly motivated individual with a proven ability to work independently and effectively in a professional environment.

We are looking for a problem-solver and a strategic, creative thinker with strong writing skills to be part of our interdisciplinary team.



Key Responsibilities & Duties:



Research (75%)


+ Help conduct quantitative research on African commodities markets, AI and blockchain, and technological interventions for economic development

+ Assemble and graph data using Excel, Stata, or Matlab

+ Manipulate economic data and/or create new variables using Excel, Stata, or Matlab

+ Conduct qualitative research

+ Assemble information in clear, concise reports

+ Clean and manage large datasets for field research project in Ghana, West Africa

+ Conduct statistical analyses of data using Stata or Matlab (advanced knowledge required)

+ Assist with data management for a research project on commodities markets, AI, and blockchain

+ Prepare research reports for concept notes, academic papers, and presentations


Administration (25%)


+ Assist faculty and team members in the administrative and financial management of the projects (i.e., manage financial transactions and budget tracking; process payments and expenses; track account balances and fiscal year projections in real-time; prepare and analyze budget reports; make department purchases with vendors and procurement department; and work on administration and finance activities across the department’s global sites in Ghana, New York, and the U.A.E.)




Qualifications: The ideal candidate exhibits the characteristics below and demonstrates a desire to be an important contributor to a collegial team.





Required:


+ Master’s degree with concentration and course work in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics or a related field

+ Strong analytical capability, including experience analyzing large data sets in Excel, Stata, Matlab, R, or similar software

+ Exceptional academic record

+ Excellent attention to detail

+ Strong interest in economic development in emerging markets

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills

+ Willingness to work as part of a global, diverse, multicultural team

+ Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills

+ Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills

+ Ability to solve problems and interact with individuals at all levels

+ Ability to work and communicate with diverse stakeholders

+ Ability to complete detail-oriented tasks with accuracy and timeliness and perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

+ Willingness to take on assignments or tasks within short notice

+ Previous work experience (1-2 years) in an office environment (remote a plus)




Preferred:


+ Experience with analysis of complex survey data is highly desirable

+ Knowledge of randomized control trials

+ Prior field research or research assistant experience in the fields of development economics a plus


Additional Information: In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the compensation for this position is $65,000-70,000 USD.

A New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040.

Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity





This is a one-year fixed term position.

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and two academic writing samples for consideration by August 31, 2025.

For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Sustainability Statement

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040.

Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability

Required Skill Profession

Other General