Reporting to: Rachna Mishra, Assistant Professor, School of Arts and Sciences
About the University and School: Founded in 2009 by the Ahmedabad Education Society, Ahmedabad University is a private, non-profit research university based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It is situated in a vibrant, entrepreneurial city, providing students with a contextually rich and globally connected education.
The School of Arts and Sciences at Ahmedabad University is one of the core academic units, offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes across a broad spectrum of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. The Division of Social Sciences brings together multiple disciplines — including anthropology, economics, education, political science, psychology, sociology and urban studies — to explore individual, community and institutional behaviour in complex contemporary settings.
Role Summary: The Research Assistant will play a key role in implementing a longitudinal, multi-site study in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in Gujarat. The position involves both field-based and analytical work, including inter-state travel, participant recruitment, data collection, coordination with institutions, data entry, and statistical analysis. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency in advanced quantitative skills, sensitivity in working with vulnerable children and strong organisational skills.
Responsibilities
Fieldwork and Data Collection
- Coordinate with CCIs, institutional heads, and staff to schedule and conduct research activities
- Administer structured assessment tools
- Conduct interviews and behavioural observations of children, ensuring adherence to ethical and child protection protocols
- Maintain accurate field notes, consent forms, and data logs
- Organise and facilitate engagement workshops and rapport-building sessions with participating children as part of the retention strategy
Data Management and Analysis
- Enter, clean, and manage large-scale longitudinal datasets using software such as R or Python
- Assist in coding and scoring psychological instruments and questionnaires
- Support statistical modelling and trajectory analyses under the supervision of the investigators
- Contribute to periodic progress reports, data summaries, and research briefs
Key Skills
Analytical and Technical Skills
- Advanced quantitative expertise and strong command of statistical software (R or Python preferred)
- Proficiency in managing and analysing multi-wave longitudinal data, including data cleaning, restructuring, and integrating information from multiple assessment tools
- Ability to conduct and interpret latent growth models and joint modelling of predictors and developmental trajectories
- This position requires mastery of the above-mentioned analytical techniques due to the methodological rigour of the project
Field and Interpersonal Skills
- Demonstrated sensitivity and ethical conduct in working with children and vulnerable populations
- Excellent communication skills in Gujarati and Hindi
- Ability to travel independently to multiple sites within Gujarat
Professional Attributes
- Commitment to high research ethics and confidentiality
- Dependable, proactive, and able to work both independently and collaboratively
- Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a dynamic research environment
Qualifications
- Postgraduate in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, or a related discipline
- Prior quantitative research experience involving fieldwork, data collection, or child/adolescent populations is desirable
Duration: Two and a half years (with possibility of extension based on project needs)
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit
- A detailed CV outlining relevant research experience
- A cover letter describing interest in the project and relevant skills
Applications should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line: “Application for Research Assistant”.
