Associate Fellow/Fellow, Centre for Economic Growth (CEG)

About the role

The selected candidate will contribute to the Centre for Economic Growth’s (CEG) research agenda, which spans six interconnected themes: the investment climate and firm dynamics; jobs, labour markets, and skills; trade, industrial policy, and global competitiveness; innovation and enterprise upgrading; city-regions and transformational urban development; and state capacity for public financial management and economic reforms.

The Associate Fellow/Fellow will lead or co-lead substantive research projects, contribute to the Centre’s intellectual profile, work closely with other NCAER researchers on research, advisory, and dissemination activities, and play an important role in establishing CEG as a leading policy-oriented research centre. The role is suited to an economist with strong empirical skills and an interest in translating rigorous analysis into practical policy advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead or co-lead research projects on one or more of CEG’s core research themes.
• Contribute to state growth diagnostics, sectoral and thematic studies, policy notes, and grant-funded research, working closely with senior colleagues and external partners.
• Manage the day-to-day execution of selected projects, including work planning, data coordination, quality control, and communication with internal and external collaborators.
• Produce high-quality research outputs, including working papers, journal articles, policy reports, and other publications, independently and as part of collaborative teams.
• Prepare policy briefs, presentations, blogs, and other dissemination materials that communicate the Centre’s research to policy, academic, and wider audiences.
• Support engagement with government counterparts, partner organisations, and academic collaborators through meetings, workshops, and consultations.
• Contribute to proposal development and help expand the Centre’s research portfolio.
• Guide and review the work of Research Associates on assigned projects.

Requirements

• PhD in Economics or a closely related field preferred. Exceptionally strong candidates with a master’s degree and substantial relevant experience may also be considered.
• Typically 3 to 8 years of relevant post-qualification experience in applied economic research, policy analysis, or consulting with expertise in at least one domain central to the CEG agenda.
• Strong empirical and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to work with data and tackle complex policy questions.
• Clear and effective writing skills, with the ability to produce outputs for both technical and policy audiences.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively in a collaborative research environment.
• Strong project management and time-management skills.

Desirable attributes

• Familiarity with large survey or administrative datasets, quasi-experimental methods, or policy modelling would be highly valuable.
• Experience working on Indian state-level policy issues would be an advantage.

About NCAER

NCAER is India’s oldest and largest national, non-profit, independent economic research institute. Since 1956, NCAER has contributed high-quality research to shape policy decisions in India. It is among the few think tanks globally that have strong field data collection capabilities for national surveys; and its research covers a spectrum of policy-focused applied research in economics, from macroeconomics to poverty and infrastructure.

NCAER offers a vibrant, dynamic academic environment with both world-class faculty and physical infrastructure. The campus provides opportunities for relaxation and recreation, including table tennis and badminton.

Duration of appointment: Initially for three years, with a provision for renewal.