Job Opportunity: Research Assistants in India

For a new and exciting project in India we are looking for experienced Research Assistants!  

JOB POSITION

• Position: Research Assistant 
• Location: India 
• Objective: Support the Principal Investigator in the research, data management, analysis, and reporting activities for the India Workforce Index Project. Assist in gathering, cleaning, analysing, and documenting labour market data to ensure strong, reliable outputs for publications, reports, and dissemination efforts.

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:
  • Assist in collecting and organising data from national datasets such as the Periodic Labour Force Surveys, Consumer Pyramids Survey, NSSO data, and relevant job portals.Prepare bridging tables to harmonise different data sources, ensuring comparability and robustness.
  • Maintain organised repositories of datasets, code documentation, and research notes for transparency and reproducibility.
• Classification and Data Processing:
  • Apply established classification systems to categorise industry, occupation, and employment types consistently across datasets.
  • Clean, structure, and validate datasets under the guidance of the Principal Investigator to ensure data quality.
• Data Analysis and Reporting:
  • Perform basic statistical analysis and generate summary tables, charts, and visuals using Excel, Stata, R, or Python.
  • Draft clear, concise data summaries, briefing notes, and presentation materials as required to support research outputs.
• Collaboration and Support:
  • Work collaboratively with the Principal Investigator, project partners, and technical teams to ensure data accuracy and timely delivery of research outputs.
  • Support dissemination activities, stakeholder workshops, and engagement efforts within the project scope.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Monitor the online presence and usability of the index and make suggestions for improvements.
  • Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the data infrastructure by identifying alternative data sources and suggesting improvements for data classification and processing workflows.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Experience: At least 2 years of work experience, or experience in research assistance, data collection, or statistical analysis. Prior experience with large datasets or surveys, such as National Sample Survey Organisation data, is preferred.
• Education: PhD or Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Public Policy, or Social Sciences (quantitative focus required). 
• Location: Candidates must be based in India.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in statistical techniques and data analysis software such as Excel, SPSS, Stata, R, and Python.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional writing and editing skills in English. Proficiency in a second (or multiple) Indian language(s) is a plus.
• 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”