CDG Research Fellow – AI Initiative 2025 (Up to $160,000)

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About CDG Research Fellow – AI Initiative

The Center for Global Development (CGD) is seeking a Research Fellow to help build a new AI Initiative. The Research Fellow will work on AI applications for international development including conducting research on AI interventions, evaluations, and business models. The Research Fellow will work closely with Han Sheng Chia, Markus Goldstein, and a Research Assistant. 

CGD’s AI Initiative seeks to

(1) identify “Smart Bets” in AI applications for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs),

(2) develop practical evaluation methods to help implementers and governments understand if their investments are achieving intended objectives

(3) design business models for the sustainable financing of AI related Digital Public Goods.

They aim to leverage CGD’s influence on donor institutions and other high-level decision-makers, positioning ourselves both as a go-to resource for learning and a level of accountability, guiding global leaders towards evidence-based policies and investments that improve development outcomes for people in LMICs. 

The Policy Fellow’s principal responsibilities will include:

• Conducting research and policy analysis in areas of expertise, including but not limited to AI specific evaluation methods (evaluation of AI interventions and AI for evaluation), emerging technologies, and development effectiveness.
• Ensuring that research and policy analysis are translated into concrete actions and impact by establishing collaborative relationships with policymakers, development agencies, donors, and international financial institutions 
• Engaging in related policy outreach activities, including speaking engagements, representing the organization at a prominent level in meetings, conferences, presentations, expert group consultations, working groups, technical communities, and other forums; and publishing blogs, papers, policy briefs, and/or short commentaries geared towards policymakers, academics, and CGD’s public audience
• Organizing and facilitating private meetings and public events in areas of expertise
• Mobilizing financial resources and support for the program and its staff in close coordination and cooperation with fundraising staff and CGD leadership
• Supervising mid-level and junior staff and being accountable for their performance management and development
• Overseeing planning, budgeting, execution, methods, and staff to achieve the program’s goals
• Engaging with and contributing to the institution’s wider initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as a playing a key part in creating a culture which aligns with our mission and values
• Integrating activities within the program and across the organization
• Developing and supporting solutions to complex problems requiring a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, engagement, and innovation

Note: This is a 1-year Fixed-Term position with the possibility of extension. 

• Sponsor Organisation: Center for Global Development (CDG)

Benefits of CDG Research Fellow – AI Initiative

Salary range: $ 129,400-$160,000. Pay commensurate with education, skillset, and experience. 
 

CDG Research Fellow – AI Initiative Requirements

• Graduate training in a relevant field – PhD or Master’s in economics, public policy, data science, computer science, statistics, or a closely related discipline, with substantive work on development issues. The ideal candidate will have a combination of economics/social science and computational/data science training.
• Technical fluency – Expert programming in Python/R and SQL; hands-on experience with machine-learning libraries and causal-inference toolkits; comfort working with messy, high-dimensional data. Ability to learn new technologies as needed.
• Publication and impact record – Demonstrated ability to produce rigorous research (peer-reviewed articles, working papers, or flagship policy reports) that has influenced or aimed to influence development policy debates.
• Exceptional communication skills – Proven aptitude for distilling complex analytics into concise, persuasive writing and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Field & stakeholder experience – Prior collaboration with LMIC governments, multilaterals, or NGOs; familiarity with research ethics, data-protection regulations, and the practicalities of implementing evaluations in resource-constrained settings.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as high level organizational skills 
• Ability to work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team while remaining individually accountable for delivering on policy outreach
• Ability to coach junior staff such as research assistants.

Application Date and Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to this link

Application Deadline

20 June, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

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