Researcher/Senior Researcher

Title: Researcher/Senior Researcher
Location: Ethiopia, India, or Kenya, with current and ongoing work authorization 
Position: Full-time
Posted on: 16 September 2025
Application deadline: 17 November 2025, 6 pm EAT/ 8.30 pm IST (applications will be reviewed as they are submitted)

Summary of the role: 

Are you passionate about using research to drive real-world impact for smallholder farmers? PxD is looking for a talented and motivated Researcher/Senior Researcher to join our collaborative, high-performing, and non-hierarchical team. In this role, you'll lead and support experimental research projects that shape PxD's strategy, inform the design of services for smallholder farmers in LMICs, and generate insights through data analysis and compelling research outputs—ranging from journal articles to policy briefs and donor reports.

You'll work closely with our core research team and affiliated researchers, contributing not only to cutting-edge research but also to the implementation and management of initiatives that ensure the quality and impact of PxD's work across multiple geographies.

We're seeking someone deeply committed to PxD's mission: delivering actionable, cost-effective, and scalable solutions that help people living in poverty sustainably improve their incomes and well-being. This role is based in Ethiopia, India, or Kenya.

About Precision Development (PxD): 

PxD empowers smallholder farmers by delivering digital, evidence-based agricultural advice at scale. Operating in India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya, we partner with governments and organizations to design and scale farmer-centered, sustainable services that improve livelihoods and boost productivity. Our programs reach tens of millions of farmers, with proven impact: $12–$19 in profit for every $1 invested. Founded in 2016 by researchers and business leaders, including Nobel laureate Michael Kremer, PxD offers a chance to work on cutting-edge digital agriculture solutions that transform food systems and empower communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement research and innovation ideas that support PxD's programs.
• Serve as a co-investigator or Principal Investigator (PI) on research projects to establish design, guide approach, and substantially contribute to fundraising for research and innovation.
• Apply foundational knowledge of the development economics and behavioral science literature to PxD's work to situate research questions, conceptualize problems, interpret the findings, and identify opportunities to generate impacts for the poor.
• Develop feasible research designs and plans, including identifying risks/threats to the quality of research and ways to mitigate them; assess tradeoffs between rigor/quality, costs, and operational constraints in research designs.  
• Provide technical feedback, advice, and recommendations on PxD's programs and external communication materials; guide Research Managers/Associates to ensure PxD maintains the standards for the appropriate use of evidence.
• Use foundational econometrics skills to conduct complex empirical data analysis and design impact evaluations.
• Lead academic research grant proposals, impact evaluation proposals, and pre-analysis plans; contribute to innovations and program funding proposals 
• Co-author journal articles, working papers, and policy briefs. 
• Ensure that research projects maintain the standards for technical appropriateness, adherence to rigorous research methodology, and data quality standards.
• Responsible for IRB protocol adherence for specific projects for which they serve as PI. 
• Present research internally and externally and represent PxD at relevant outreach events.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and technical oversight to research staff and country teams to design and carry out research projects (no direct supervision)

Qualifications – Researcher:

• PhD in economics, agricultural economics, public policy, or related field.
• Deep familiarity with relevant literature, such as development economics, agricultural economics, experimental methodologies, behavioral sciences, and/or remote sensing 
• Experience with action research and/or field experiments in LMICs beyond academic experience during the course of the PhD.
• Experience collecting primary data in LMICs
• Excellent knowledge of Stata or R, or similar software for data analysis.
• Experience developing successful research,  impact evaluation, and/or evidence-driven innovation funding proposals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex research clearly.
  
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and work under tight timelines.
• Ability to work well with teams with diverse backgrounds and experience.
• Familiarity with machine learning and/or AI is a plus
• Experience in agriculture (or other sector-specific)  and technology for development is a plus.
  
  

Qualifications – Senior Researcher:

• PhD in economics, agricultural economics, public policy, or related field.
• Experience managing research staff or teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading at least three large research & innovation projects for scalable impact in LMIC countries, including the following: 
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully lead the design, execution, internal communications, and publication of action research.
  • Demonstrated ability to design and execute field experiments and lead empirical analysis.
  • Demonstrated understanding of complex real-world constraints in the use of research methods and evidence for service delivery, and ability to use research tools and insights for practical impact.
• Demonstrated experience raising a substantial amount of research and impact evaluation funding and /or evidence-driven innovation funding.
• Deep familiarity with relevant literature, such as development economics, agricultural economics, experimental methodologies, behavioral sciences, and/or remote sensing 
• Excellent knowledge of Stata or R, or similar software for data analysis.
• Proven track record in (collaboratively) producing working papers and publishing journal articles
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex research clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and work under tight timelines.
• Ability to work well with teams with diverse backgrounds and experience.
• Experience in agriculture and technology for development.
• Familiarity with machine learning and/or AI is a plus

How to apply: 

To apply, please visit the PxD website and use the online application form to submit a CV, cover letter, and brief responses to the screening questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the application deadline of 17 November 2025, 6 pm EAT/ 8.30 pm IST. 

PxD is committed to building an inclusive and diverse organisation. We don't make decisions based on gender, gender identity, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristics unrelated to the role. We understand that everyone has different lifestyles, and we accommodate flexible working to ensure you are as productive and happy as possible. 

We will use any personal data you provide for recruitment purposes only.