Junior Research Scientist

Description

Africa House is seeking to hire a Junior Research Scientist to support the research of the Director, Professor Yaw Nyarko. Professor Nyarko's primary research interests include African economic development, artificial intelligence and technological adoption, and commodities markets. Primary duties will consist of conducting high-quality research suitable for publication in academic journals. Additional duties include providing broad support for ongoing projects, including: a multi-year study on the potential for blockchain to address market failures in rural credit markets; an international research consortium focused on scaling evidence-based technological innovations for agricultural systems, including livestock, using AI, digital advisory services, and weather forecasting to support smallholder farmers; a set of working papers focused on the economics and mathematics of large-language models; and research on various dimensions of the United Arab Emirates' economic history and structure. 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:

• Help conduct quantitative research on African commodities markets, AI and blockchain, and technological interventions for economic development
• Assemble, graph, and analyze data using Excel, Stata, or Matlab
• Manipulate economic data and/or create new variables using Excel, Stata, or Matlab
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research
• Present 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

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 (2-3 years) in an office environment

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

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the compensation for this position is $70,000-80,000 USD. 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.

Application Instructions

This is a one-year fixed term position. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and two academic writing samples for consideration by August 31, 2026.