[Hiring] Research Assistant @Emory University

Role Description

This individual will work as a Research Assistant under Prof. Stephen D. O'Connell in the Department of Economics. Responsibilities include:

• Literature review
• Data analysis
• Presentations
• Weekly meetings and ad hoc coordination meetings

This is a half-time position supporting a mixed-methods study of livelihoods policy and social cohesion in post-conflict Iraq, conducted in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The RA works under the supervision of PIs O'Connell (Emory) and Masterson (UCSB).

Instrument Development

• Lead the design of a semi-structured qualitative interview guide, drawing on preliminary findings from the project's large-scale randomized controlled trial (midline survey data covering ~6,000 participants)
• Develop interview probes targeting specific quantitative results — both strong treatment effects and null findings — to elicit narratives about mechanisms, spillovers, and unintended consequences
• Coordinate translation of the guide into Arabic and Kurdish, manage back-translation for accuracy, and incorporate feedback from piloting

Fieldwork Preparation and Support

• Help develop the sampling frame: purposive selection of ~150 participants across treatment/control groups, community types (IDP, returnee, host), gender, and geography
• Prepare training materials for local enumerators and translators on ethical interviewing, confidentiality, and data quality
• Support PIs during in-country fieldwork trips (January–April 2026), including logistics coordination and real-time quality checks on incoming interview data

Analysis

• Manage transcription and translation workflow for audio-recorded interviews
• Conduct thematic coding of interview transcripts using qualitative analysis software, applying both inductive and deductive approaches
• Integrate qualitative findings with quantitative RCT data to identify mechanisms and sources of treatment effect heterogeneity
• Prepare tables, summaries, and narrative write-ups for use in the academic manuscript and policy brief

Other

• Assist with IRB/ethics submissions for the qualitative component at Emory and UCSB
• Contribute to drafting the policy brief targeted at humanitarian stakeholders, Iraqi ministries, and donor agencies
• Help prepare conference presentations and materials for an in-country stakeholder workshop

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in social sciences
• If a current student, must possess a BA/BS or equivalent and be enrolled in a US-based PhD program in social sciences

Requirements

• Tasks related to this position can be performed remotely with only occasional visits to an Emory University location
• This position requires you to reside in the State of Georgia

Company Description