Research Consultant – Wastewater treatment and reuse pilot
Project: Comparison of Novel Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems and Reuse in Rural Punjab
Country: India
Location: Patiala, Punjab
Start Date: Dec 15 2025
Length of Commitment: 3 months
Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy or related fields
Organization: J-PAL South Asia at IFMR
Language requirement: Hindi essential. Punjabi beneficial
PIs: Ram Fishman (Tel-Aviv University), Amit Dhir (Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology), Hadas Mamane (Tel-Aviv University)
About J-PAL South Asia:
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) J-PAL was established in 2003 as a research center at the Economics Department at MIT. Since then, it has grown into a global network of researchers who use randomized evaluations to answer critical policy questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL is propelled by a first-rate team dedicated to research, policy, training, and other vital work, supporting J-PAL’s mission to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence.
J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in Chennai, leads J-PAL’s efforts to advance evidence-informed policymaking in the region. By conducting rigorous randomized evaluations, forging impactful strategic partnerships, and scaling effective programs, we strive to deliver better evidence to help governments design better policies so people can live better lives. Established in 2007, J-PAL South Asia is the oldest and the largest among all J-PAL offices. We have 255 ongoing and completed evaluations in the South Asia region across 11 sectors to date. We have a growing number of partnerships in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Project Description:
Rural Punjab faces a critical wastewater management challenge due to rapid population growth, poor infrastructure, and lack of treatment systems. The study proposes a novel, decentralized wastewater treatment system building on builds on three years of extensive fieldwork. This pilot study will test two approaches with mini-pond treatment systems alongside community participation and behavioral responses to incentive schemes. The project aims to demonstrate significant improvements in wastewater quality, a reduction in health risks associated with untreated wastewater and an increase in community awareness and engagement in sustainable wastewater management practices. The study is part of a collaboration between Department of Rural Development, Government of Punjab, Thapar University and J-PAL South Asia.
About the Role:
J-PAL South Asia is inviting expressions of interest for this Research Consultant (RC) position. RCs at J-PAL play a specific short-term role in managing the implementation of randomized evaluations, working closely with researchers from leading Universities around the world, ensuring that each evaluation is designed and implemented with precision and rigor.
Key Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of a Research Consultant for the baseline of the pilot study would typically include, but are not limited to:
● Strengthening measurement validity and reliability by assisting in the development and piloting of the baseline survey instruments. You will be responsible for organizing field tests, analyzing pilot data, and integrating structured feedback loops to improve the precision and accuracy of indicators. This includes programming of digital surveys and development of end-to-end data workflows.
● Ensuring collection of high-quality primary data—recruiting, training, and managing field teams to collect baseline survey data that meets rigorous research standards. Setting up and maintaining systems for real-time quality monitoring. You will identify issues in incoming data, identify solutions in collaboration with the researchers, and implement corrective measures.
● Preparing analysis-ready datasets by writing reproducible code (in Stata, R, or Python), generating summary statistics, working closely with researchers.
● Facilitating alignment between research teams and implementation partners to ensure that project implementation aligns with study protocols. You will coordinate timelines, share updates across teams, and help troubleshoot day-to-day challenges while maintaining strong working relationships with external stakeholders.
● Ensuring transparency and reproducibility by developing and maintaining detailed documentation, including codebooks, field protocols, and project logs that align with academic standards and support eventual replication and publication.
● Maintaining strict adherence to J-PAL’s research protocols throughout all stages of the research lifecycle.
What We’re Looking For:
● Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing operational and analytical challenges
● Ability to manage day-to-day work with minimal supervision
● Excellent time management and attention to detail
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Required Knowledge and Skills:
● A Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in economics, sociology, social sciences, public policy, public health or related fields.
● Sound understanding of impact evaluation methods, especially randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
● Proficiency in data analysis and statistical tools such as Stata or R
● Experience with digital data collection platforms such as SurveyCTO or Qualtrics
● Fluency in English and Hindi; proficiency in Punjabi is beneficial
● Willingness to travel extensively around Patiala
Note on Work Authorizations:
Candidates must have work authorization to work in India.
