Job Opportunity: Principle Investigator (PI) in India

To lead our new project's Research team, we are looking for an experienced Principle Investigator (PI) who can lead our methodological design for a new and exciting project in India! 

JOB POSITION

• Position: Principal Investigator (PI)
• Location: India 
• Objective: Lead WageIndicator’s India Workforce Index project and conduct rigorous research and analysis supporting the project. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver a high-quality data infrastructure that will lead to the creation of the index. Drive diverse research initiatives and contribute to impactful publications, reports, and working papers that enhance labour market transparency and knowledge, as defined in the scope of the project. Manage a team of research assistants, present the findings, and report to the funders as required.
  

ABOUT THE PROJECT

India Workforce Index, an initiative by WageIndicator Foundation to map wage levels, skilling gaps, and job trends across India’s blue- and grey-collar workforce, with support from our knowledge partners in India, IIM Ahmedabad and FLAME University. The aim is to monitor the trends in India for Blue and Grey Collar segments of the labour market in labour supply, labour demand and wages and/or incomes of workers with quarterly updates for the parameters. The trends, as much as possible, will be disaggregated by state, city, gender, age, employment status, industry, occupation groups, subject to the availability of information. It’s a research-driven initiative, with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation providing the anchor funding. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Data Collection and Management:
  • Gather and manage relevant data sources related to labour supply, demand, wages and similar labour-market indicators for India, ensuring accuracy and completeness. This includes but is not limited to the Periodic Labour Force Surveys, the Consumer Pyramids Survey, and data from various job portals. 
  • Prepare bridging tables between various data sources and ensure an accurate and robust data infrastructure. 
  • Maintain thorough records of research processes, sources, and results for transparency. 
• Data Analysis: Analyse data coming from different data sources to make them comparable.
• Reporting: Draft clear, concise research summaries, reports, and briefing materials, as required. 
• Research: Work closely with the research team at WageIndicator and the partners of the project to co-author working papers related to the project.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, legal, and database leads, as well as state-based organisations, to integrate research insights as defined in the scope of the project.
• Dissemination: Support preparation of dissemination activities related to the project, catering to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Improvement: 
  • Engage in continuous improvement of the database by identifying alternate data sources that can be used to improve the data infrastructure. 
  • Monitor the online presence and usability of the index and make suggestions for improvements.
  • Suggest possible surveys that can be administered by the WageIndicator Foundation to improve and complement the quality of the data infrastructure.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Experience: Experience in research and/or work experience related to the Indian labour market. 
• Education: PhD in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Public Policy, or Social Sciences (quantitative focus required). Post-PhD research experience preferred. Preference will be given to candidates who have relevant academic publications.
• Location: Candidates must be based in India.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in quantitative statistical techniques and expertise in using data analysis software (Excel, SPSS, Stata, R, Python). Candidates with experience related to web-scraping and the usage of alternative data sources will be preferred.
• Communication Skills: 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills in English. Proficiency in a second (or multiple) Indian language(s) is a plus. 
• The candidate should have prior experience in presenting research findings to an academic audience (in conferences) and/or funders.
• Supervisory Qualifications: Prior experience in managing a (research) team is required. The candidate will be required to manage a team of two researchers for this project.
• Proactive Approach: Initiative-driven, able to lead and manage responsibilities independently.
• Organisation: Strong ability to multitask, prioritise, and work across multiple projects simultaneously.

DESIRABLE

• Experience of working with large-scale survey data (such as NSSO Employment and Unemployment Surveys, Periodic Labour Force Surveys, job portals) is desirable. Experience in collecting data and working with data related to the Indian labour market, and in particular that for India’s Blue & Grey Collar labour market trends (labour supply, demand, wages) is highly desirable. 
• Prior experience of collaborating with and building partnerships with national organisations that work on labour-market indicators, blue and grey-collar workers, is desirable.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Global Reach: Contribute to a respected international organisation whose research spans 208 countries and territories, directly supporting labour market transparency and influencing conversations worldwide.
• Professional Growth: Collaborate with experienced researchers and subject-matter experts in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment, enhancing your research capabilities and domain knowledge. The candidate can co-author with researchers affiliated with WageIndicator to contribute to the WageIndicator Working Paper Series.
• Skill Development: Develop and refine your expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and data storytelling while working with complex, real-world labour market data and topics.
• Ownership & Autonomy: Take initiative, lead research projects from concept to execution, and contribute original insights with full trust and responsibility.
• Flexible Work Culture: Enjoy the freedom of remote work with occasional possibility to travel, managing your schedule and collaborating in ways that suit your style, within a results-driven team.
• Collaborative, Diverse Team: Work alongside a global network of professionals who share knowledge, problem-solve together, and constantly push for creative excellence.

REMUNERATIONS AND TERMS:

• Competitive Pay: NGO sector-aligned remuneration based on qualifications, experience, and location, with annual reviews.
• Terms of engagement: This role is offered on a fixed-term contract basis, initially for 1 year. The contract can be renewed annually based on performance. 

APPLY NOW:

Thank you for your interest in WageIndicator. By joining us, you’ll collaborate with a talented, global team dedicated to advancing labour market transparency.

• Apply here: https://forms.gle/LsM9Sihhmjjdkfat6

Application deadline: 26th October 2025.

Don’t forget to include your (1) CV (please include list of publications, list of conferences, if any) and (2) motivation letter.If you have any questions about this job, the process, or about WageIndicator, feel free to reach out at hr@wageindicator.org.

Please Note: WageIndicator is an equal opportunity employer, offering opportunities to suitable individuals who exhibit and are willing to ascribe to our mission and values. WageIndicator will not discriminate on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

ABOUT WAGEINDICATOR FOUNDATION: 
WageIndicator Foundation is a global, independent, non-profit organisation that works towards increased labour market transparency. We operate in 208 countries and territories, providing up-to-date information on salaries and wages, minimum wages, living wages, living income and living tariff, labour laws, collective agreements, and the gig economy. Our mission is to equip workers, employers and other stakeholders with accessible data for equitable decision-making to improve working conditions globally. We collaborate with stakeholders to collect, share and compare data on wages and working conditions worldwide. By providing actionable tools and resources to workers and employers, we increase transparency and level the playing field. 

DISCLAIMER: “WageIndicator’s recruitment and selection policies and procedures reflect our commitment to the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Any appointment is subject to commitment to our Safeguarding Policy and satisfactory references and, for some roles, appropriate background checks”