The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, widely known as J-PAL, is inviting applications for the Senior Training Associate position at J-PAL Global. This opportunity is based at the J-PAL Global office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.

This is a strong opportunity for candidates with a background in economics, political science, education, international development, program evaluation, quantitative research, randomized evaluations, or related fields. The role is designed for individuals who are passionate about poverty alleviation, evidence-informed policymaking, rigorous impact evaluation, and global development research.

The successful candidate will join J-PAL’s Research, Education, and Training team, supporting the design, planning, delivery, and evaluation of training programs for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, governments, NGOs, foundations, universities, and development organizations around the world.

About J-PAL Global

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that public policy is shaped by scientific evidence. J-PAL is anchored by a network of more than 1,100 leading researchers based at universities across the world.

Headquartered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, J-PAL works across multiple global offices and has more than 500 staff members supporting research, policy engagement, education, training, and partnerships.

J-PAL’s work focuses on using rigorous research, especially randomized evaluations, to understand what works in reducing poverty and improving lives. Through its partnerships with governments, non-governmental organizations, foundations, multilateral institutions, and universities, J-PAL helps turn evidence into policy action.

Position Overview

J-PAL Global is recruiting a Senior Training Associate to support its mission of promoting evidence-informed policy. The position will be based at the J-PAL Global office at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The role is part of J-PAL’s Research, Education, and Training team, also known as the RET team. This team works in a fast-paced and collaborative environment to equip policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and staff with the knowledge and tools needed to conduct and use rigorous impact evaluations.

The Senior Training Associate will contribute to J-PAL’s global training work by developing new teaching materials, supporting online and in-person courses, assisting with workshops, and strengthening learning resources on randomized evaluations and cost-effectiveness.

The role also includes working with learners and partners from around the world, creating open-access resources for J-PAL’s online courses, and developing tailored training materials for partner organizations.

Key Details of the Opportunity

Position title: Senior Training Associate
Organization: J-PAL Global
Host institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Earliest start date: 1 July 2026
Length of commitment: Three years or more
Application deadline: June 15
Application review: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
Work format: Hybrid, with at least two in-office days per week
Visa sponsorship: Not available

Why This Role Matters

This position is ideal for someone who wants to contribute to global development through research, training, and evidence-based policy. Many governments and development organizations want to solve urgent problems related to poverty, education, health, labor markets, social protection, agriculture, governance, and economic opportunity.

However, effective solutions require strong evidence. J-PAL’s training work helps policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners understand how to generate, interpret, and use evidence responsibly.

As a Senior Training Associate, the selected candidate will help build the capacity of people and institutions working on real-world policy challenges. The role combines research communication, teaching, data analysis, training design, partnership support, and global development engagement.

Main Responsibilities

The Senior Training Associate will contribute to several areas of J-PAL’s training and education work. Responsibilities may include the following:

1. Developing Teaching Materials

The selected candidate will research and design new teaching modules for J-PAL’s training programs. These materials may cover topics such as randomized evaluations, impact evaluation methods, cost-effectiveness analysis, data use, and evidence-informed decision-making.

This may involve preparing:

Presentations
Case studies
Training manuals
Course exercises
Learning guides
Technical explanations
Teaching resources for online and in-person learners

2. Supporting Online and In-Person Training

The Senior Training Associate will serve as a teaching assistant for J-PAL’s online and in-person training offerings. This includes helping learners strengthen their ability to generate and use rigorous evidence.

The role may involve supporting learners during courses, explaining technical concepts, assisting with assignments, answering questions, and helping participants understand randomized evaluation methods.

3. Planning and Delivering Workshops

The position involves assisting with the planning, organization, and delivery of training courses and workshops for key partners around the world.

These partners may include:

Government agencies
Non-governmental organizations
Foundations
Universities
Multilateral aid agencies
Research institutions
Development practitioners

The selected candidate may also have opportunities to travel domestically and internationally to support or participate in training courses.

4. Collaborating Across J-PAL Offices

J-PAL operates through a global network of regional offices. The Senior Training Associate will coordinate and collaborate with training colleagues across these offices.

This may include contributing to knowledge management, improving training processes, organizing shared resources, and helping ensure consistency and quality across J-PAL’s training materials.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data Analysis

The role includes maintaining tracking, monitoring, and evaluation systems for J-PAL’s courses. The selected candidate will help analyze data to assess learning outcomes, participant engagement, and course effectiveness.

This makes the role suitable for candidates who are comfortable with quantitative data analysis and interested in improving educational and training programs through evidence.

6. Supporting Partner Relationships

The Senior Training Associate will also support the development of relationships with key partners in governments, NGOs, foundations, universities, multilateral aid agencies, and other institutions around the world.

This aspect of the role requires strong communication skills, cultural awareness, professionalism, and an interest in working across different institutional and global contexts.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should meet the following educational, technical, and professional requirements.

Educational Background

A bachelor’s degree is required in one of the following fields:

Economics
Political science
Education
International development
A related field

A master’s degree is preferred, but not strictly required.

Applicants must have training in and a strong technical understanding of:

Econometrics
Randomized evaluations
Quantitative research methods
Impact evaluation methods

Experience Requirements

J-PAL prefers candidates with around four years of relevant work experience. This experience may include work gained as a student.

Relevant experience may include:

Program evaluation
Quantitative data analysis
Economics research
Development research
Education or training work
Impact evaluation
Policy research
Research assistance
Data management
Related analytical roles

Applicants with fewer than four years of experience are also welcome to apply. Exceptional candidates with less than four years of experience may be considered for an Associate-level position.

Skills and Competencies Required

Strong Interest in Poverty Alleviation

Candidates should have a strong interest in poverty alleviation policy and research. This interest may be demonstrated through coursework, research, study abroad, work abroad, development experience, or professional exposure to policy and social impact work.

Quantitative Skills

Applicants must have knowledge of:

Data management
Data analysis
Econometrics
Quantitative research methods

These skills are important because the role involves working with training materials related to randomized evaluations, evidence generation, and policy-relevant research.

Software Skills

Applicants must have a good command of at least one of the following:

Stata
R
Python

Candidates should also be comfortable using Google Workspace tools, including:

Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Slides
Google Forms

Additional skills that are considered a plus include:

LaTeX
GitHub
Other coding languages
Thoughtful use of AI tools to streamline workflows

Cultural Competencies

J-PAL is looking for applicants who are comfortable working in a diverse and multicultural environment. The role involves collaboration with colleagues, learners, partners, policymakers, and institutions from different parts of the world.

Applicants should demonstrate sensitivity and adaptability across:

Culture
Gender
Religion
Race
Nationality
Age
Professional background

J-PAL encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. The organization especially encourages people who are underrepresented in economics to apply.

Location and Work Arrangement

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at J-PAL Global’s office at MIT.

The role follows a hybrid work arrangement. Staff are currently expected to work in the office at least two days per week, specifically Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Remote work is allowed on the remaining three days.

However, hybrid work policies may change annually. The position is not eligible for full-time remote work.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States for a minimum of three years.

This is an important requirement, and applicants should confirm their work authorization before applying.

Compensation and Benefits

J-PAL states that pay range and pay grade information for this role is available through the relevant MIT compensation information page.

As a member of the MIT community, the successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package for the non-profit international development field.

Benefits may include:

Comprehensive health insurance
401(k) match
Pension-based retirement plan
Tuition assistance
Commuter benefits
MIT community discounts
Generous vacation policy
Additional MIT benefits

J-PAL staff members may also be eligible to take proctored exams in the Data, Economics, and Design of Policy MicroMasters courses at no cost. These course certificates can count toward the DEDP MicroMasters credential.

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply through the MIT human resources system.

Applicants should search for MIT Job ID: 25712 and complete the application on the MIT portal.

The application requires candidates to upload a single PDF document into the “Resume” field. This single PDF should include:

Cover letter
The cover letter should explain why the applicant is interested in the position at J-PAL Global and why they are qualified for the role.
Resume or CV
The resume or CV should clearly show relevant education, work experience, technical skills, research experience, and training-related experience.
Transcripts for all previous university-level coursework
Unofficial transcripts are accepted.

Applicants should only apply to the J-PAL Global Senior Training Associate position, MIT Job ID 25712.

Selection Process

All applicants will be asked to complete a short data task as part of the screening process.

Shortlisted applicants will then be asked to complete a short technical screening interview via Zoom.

Candidates who advance further will be invited to additional Zoom interviews.

Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the June 15 deadline.

Why You Should Apply

This opportunity is suitable for candidates who want to combine research, education, training, and global development impact. It is especially relevant for people who enjoy translating technical research concepts into practical learning materials for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

You should consider applying if you:

Are passionate about poverty reduction and evidence-based policy
Have a background in economics, education, political science, international development, or related fields
Understand econometrics, randomized evaluations, or quantitative research methods
Enjoy developing teaching materials and training resources
Have experience in data analysis or program evaluation
Want to work with global partners in government, NGOs, foundations, universities, and multilateral agencies
Are comfortable working in a multicultural environment
Are authorized to work in the United States for at least three years

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the J-PAL Global Senior Training Associate position is June 15.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so applicants should submit their materials as early as possible.

How to Apply

To apply, candidates should visit the MIT human resources system, search for MIT Job ID 25712, and submit the required application materials.

Applicants must upload one PDF document containing their cover letter, resume or CV, and transcripts.

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J-PAL Global Senior Training Associate Position 2026: Apply for a Three-Year Research, Education, and Training Role at MIT @MIT