Research Manager

About Us:

Good Business Lab (GBL) is a research-to-action nonprofit. We conduct rigorous economicsresearch to advance access to high-quality jobs for low-income workers. We believe a truly good job is more than wages - it creates conditions for workers to thrive. Yet too few workers have access to sustained wage growth, supportive workplaces, and real opportunities for advancement. GBL works to change this by expanding pathways into better-fit, higher-opportunity work and improving job quality within large employers. We study worker needs, partner with workers and employers to co-design interventions that serve both individual and business goals, and evaluate impact through causal methods. Across manufacturing, retail, and food service, our work shows that improving job quality also improves firm performance. Globally, we have directly improved outcomes for over 500,000 workers, with indirect reach across an ecosystem impacting nearly 2 million more.

The founders of the Lab are Achyuta 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 ESG and Sustainability at Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd., and Anant Nyshadham - Assistant Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan (www.anantnyshadham.com).

About the role

Research Managers (RMs) are integral to the success of our randomized evaluations. Working closely with the research team at GBL and collaborating economists and researchers across U.S. universities, the RM will support all key activities to grow our U.S. project portfolio. The RM will support all stages of the research process across two U.S.-based projects, along with other key activities to develop more projects in the U.S. Here is a quick description of the two active projects in the U.S.:

• AI-assisted job search and matching:Research on using algorithmic matching to connect low-income jobseekers to local vacancies - widening the scope of job search across sectors and improving matching to jobs in which candidates may have no prior experience. This research builds on our prior work on AI-directed job search, which you can read about here.
• Cash incentives and continuity of care:Research investigating the effects of small cash incentives on continuity of care among the unsheltered population in the Los Angeles region.

To acclimatize yourself with our work, you can explore our website and LinkedIn.

Compensation:$80,000-$100,000 annually, subject to the candidate’s experience, skills, and fit for the role.

Type of Employment: Fixed Term Employment

Duration:1 year

Location: This is a remote position. Team members are based in Philadelphia, PA (with an office space) and Ann Arbor, MI, and relocation to either location is an option for candidates who are interested.

- Please note, the candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead grant writing and prepare reports for funding agencies
• Mentor Research Assistants and other research staff; assist with hiring and training Research Assistants and other research staff
• Assist with Research Assistant responsibilities as needed (literature reviews, survey instrument design, data cleaning, survey planning, data quality monitoring, fieldwork supervision, etc.)
• Ensure projects follow GBL standards and protocols, including IRB approval, coding standards, and analysis procedures
• Anticipate and identify risks or threats to research design/projects, propose solutions, and escalate to researchers as needed
• Maintain clear communication and alignment between researchers, GBL staff, and implementation partners; clarify expectations and troubleshoot challenges
• Ensure the project has sufficient material and human resources
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation - codebooks, field protocols, and project logs - to academic standards of transparency and reproducibility
• Coordinate with administrative and finance teams on participant payments and study-related costs
• Prepare policy memos, research briefs, and communications content (blogs, articles) on ongoing and completed studies
• Represent GBL at meetings with external stakeholders (e.g., delivering presentations)

Who are you?

• Master's or doctoral degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Studies, or a related field (or Bachelors degree with 4+ years of relevant work experience)
• Ability to work in a team, manage multiple projects on the ground and be self-motivated
• Experience managing Randomized Controlled Trials
• Extensive experience conducting social science or economic field research (supervising data collection, survey design and implementation, data management, etc.)
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including proficiency in statistical software such as Stata or R, and experience with financial reporting and management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel/spreadsheet applications
• Strong familiarity with data science principles and AI coding platforms (e.g., Claude Code, Codex/GPT), among others.
• Detail-oriented with strong written and oral communication skills
• Willingness to travel occasionally to project sites
• Experience in grant writing for existing and new projects

Additional Requirements:

What should you be comfortable with?

• A dynamic environment with competing priorities
• Working in a team with shared responsibilities
• Independently coordinating with coworkers to accomplish goals
• Being resourceful in new environments and scenarios
• Problem-solving in high-pressure environments
• Adapting your approach, being focused on the problem and not being stuck to one idea or way of solving a problem

How to apply?

Share the following documents with your application form:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• A cover letter describing your background, interest in economics research, familiarity with relevant statistical software, and any experience as a research assistant and/or manager or on independent projects.
• Please include the names and email addresses of two references in your cover letter.

Deadline to Apply:

On rolling basis

The process:

We are glad you’re interested in applying for this role!

After each step, we decide whether to invite you to the next one. The screening process takes approximately 4-6 weeks from the application deadline and includes the following stages:

• CV screening
• Data test
• First-round interview
• Second-round interview

Depending on the candidate pool, we may add any additional interviews to make a well thought through 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 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.