Research Associate

About Us:

Good Business Lab is an independent, non-profit labor innovation company. We use rigorous academic research to prove that worker well-being programs have business impacts. We develop market-ready, scalable interventions that benefit both workers and businesses. Our goal is to disrupt the traditional notion of business and show that worker well-being can be a good business practice.

The founders of the lab are Ach Adhvaryu - Professor of Economics and Director of 21st Century India Center at the School of Global Policy and Strategy, UC San Diego (www.achadhvaryu.com), Anant Ahuja-head of Organization Development at Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd., and Anant Nyshadham- Assistant Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan (www.anantnyshadham.com).

Role: Research Associate LatAm (Full-time)
Location: Remote in Colombia
Start Date: May 2026
Salary: COP $4'500.000 monthly

About this position

We are seeking an analytically driven and proactive Research Associate with advanced proficiency in R and STATA to bridge the gap between rigorous academic research and real-world business impact. In this role, you will provide critical support in processing and managing large-scale datasets while developing automated workflows and conducting econometric analyses to drive strategic decision-making. Working alongside leading scholars Anant Nyshadham (University of Michigan) and Achyuta Adhvaryu (UC San Diego), you will play a key role in designing research studies and generating evidence-based insights to help organizations improve performance while strengthening workers wellbeing.

At Good Business Lab (GBL), you will thrive in an evidence-based ecosystem, applying cutting-edge methods to address complex challenges in worker well-being alongside a multidisciplinary team of economists and labor industry experts. This role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to high-level communication outputs, such as academic papers, policy briefs, and presentations, translating intricate data findings into actionable knowledge for global stakeholders. This is an exceptional opportunity for a bilingual (English C1/Spanish) professional passionate about development economics and impact evaluations to join a multicultural team. If you are a highly organized researcher who enjoys working independently on innovative projects that prove worker well-being is a measurable business advantage, we would love to hear from you.

Who are you?

• Academic & Technical Foundation
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field. A Master’s degree (in progress or completed) in Economics is strongly preferred.
  • Technical Stack: Advanced proficiency in R and STATA is required (Python is a plus). You must have a proven track record of managing large-scale longitudinal or administrative datasets.
  • Methodological Rigor: Expert in causal inference, econometric modeling, and impact evaluation, including the design and analysis of RCTs and quasi-experimental studies.
• Domain Expertise
  • Background: Experience in Industrial Organization or Development Economics—specifically regarding labor markets and Colombian education/vocational systems—is highly valued.
  • Contextual Knowledge: Familiarity with the GEIH and other national information systems is a plus.
• Professional Profile
  • Communication: Bilingual (English C1 / Spanish) with the ability to translate complex data into high-quality technical documentation and actionable reports.
  • Execution: A proactive, independent researcher who excels in multidisciplinary teams. You balance sharp attention to detail with the ability to manage complex workflows under strict timelines.
  • Mindset: You prioritize methodological integrity and ethical standards (including AI use), demonstrating a continuous drive to master new technical concepts.

What will you do?

As a Research Associate, you will bridge the gap between rigorous data science and real-world policy impact. Working alongside academic researchers and implementation teams, your role spans the entire research lifecycle:

• Research Design & Advanced Analysis
  • Contribute to the design, implementation, and analysis of experimental and quasi-experimental projects.
  • Apply sophisticated econometric modeling to address complex questions in development economics and industrial organization.
  • Contribute innovative methodological improvements to enhance the rigor of GBL’s research portfolio.
• Data Engineering & Integrity
  • Architect automated, reproducible workflows in R and STATA for data cleaning, variable generation, and anomaly detection.
  • Perform comprehensive technical audits and diagnostic checks to ensure the absolute reliability of large-scale datasets.
• Operational Monitoring & Fieldwork Support
  • Develop structured tracking systems and real-time dashboards (utilizing Excel) to monitor fieldwork progress and survey quality.
  • Create technical outputs that allow the implementation team to make agile, data-driven adjustments during data collection.
• Synthesis & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Translate complex statistical outputs into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
  • Support academic papers, policy briefs, and technical reports.
  • Present findings to global stakeholders, ensuring that rigorous evidence is accessible and persuasive.

Perks of working with us

• Be part of projects that have a real-world impact while collaborating with renowned academics from Harvard, Michigan, and UC San Diego.
• Work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on improving worker well-being and advancing research in development economics.
• Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methodologies in applied economics, big data, and machine learning.
• Contribute to research that combines academic rigor with practical application to make meaningful social change.

The process typically includes:

• Initial CV Screening: A review of your background and technical alignment with the role.
• Phone Screening: A brief conversation to discuss your experience, motivations, and expectations.
• Technical Assessment: A practical test designed to evaluate your proficiency in R, STATA, and data management.
• First Round of Interviews: A deeper dive into your technical expertise and problem-solving approach.
• Second Round of Interviews: A discussion focused on project fit, collaboration, and strategic alignment with GBL’s mission.

Please note: Depending on the candidate pool, we may include additional interview rounds to ensure a well-informed and thoughtful hiring decision.

Our commitment to diversity:

GBL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer traditional monetary workplace benefits such as insurance and travel allowance. We are a young and growing company making us the ideal ground for team members to experiment, take on dynamic roles, and grow with us. We focus on happiness, output, and quality of work.
If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.

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