Field Research Associate or Consultant
A doctoral researcher at the University of Chicago is seeking a short-term research associate or consultant with survey and enumeration experience to support field-based exploratory research in Delhi, India. The research focuses on urban labour market responses to extreme temperatures and air pollution, and the selected consultant will work directly and closely with the principal investigator throughout the engagement. The position is funded by the University of Chicago Development Economics Research Fund and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
Scope of Work
The consultancy is expected to run for two weeks, based in Delhi. The selected consultant will work closely with the principal investigator and may be asked to undertake the following:
Field Interviews
• Assist in conducting exploratory qualitative interviews with street vendors, factory workers, and factory managers in Delhi;
• Facilitate interviews in Hindi, including real-time interpretation and translation support;
• Assist with scheduling, logistics, and coordination of interview appointments;
• Take detailed field notes during interviews and collaborate with the principal investigator to interpret responses.
Literature Review Support
• Search and summarise relevant academic articles, working papers, and policy documents related to the research topics;
• Assist in organising and maintaining a reference database.
Project Management Support
• Assist with scheduling meetings and maintaining project timelines;
• Support general coordination tasks as directed by the principal investigator.
Qualifications and Skills
Required
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics or a closely related social science discipline;
• Strong spoken and written proficiency in both Hindi and English;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct or assist with qualitative fieldwork and interviews;
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work productively with others.
Desirable
• Prior experience conducting field interviews or qualitative research;
• Familiarity with urban labour markets, informal economy, or manufacturing sectors;
• Experience with transcription and translation of interviews;
• Strong spoken and written proficiency in Punjabi.
Duration and Terms of Engagement
The consultancy will last approximately two weeks. The employee should be available to begin work no later than 10th July, 2026. Work hours will be agreed upon with the selected candidate, but can range from 5-30 hours per week, depending on the candidate’s availability. The position will be based in New Delhi, but will require compensated travel within NCT.
This position provides competitive daily remuneration, commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents by email to mneils@uchicago.edu.
Please include ‘Field Research Consultancy – Delhi’ in the subject line:
• A cover letter (maximum one page) outlining your relevant experience;
• A curriculum vitae (maximum two pages).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
For further information, please contact the principal investigator at: mneils@uchicago.edu