Research Assistant – Market Shaping Accelerator

The Center for Global Development (CGD) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization in Washington, DC, and London, UK that focuses on the issues and institutions that are critical to inclusive development. Through rigorous empirical research and active engagement with the global policy community, CGD focuses on the intersections between the policy and financial priorities of low- and middle-income countries and the governments, institutions, and corporations that can be partners in delivering greater progress.

Founded by Rachel Glennerster, Michael Kremer and Christopher Snyder, the Market Shaping Accelerator (MSA), housed at CGD, aims to catalyze the development of advance market commitments and other market shaping mechanisms to incentivize innovations addressing pressing global challenges including in the areas of global health, pandemic preparedness, climate, AI safety, and drug repurposing. Information on MSA's current projects can be found on our focus areas webpage. We focus on driving innovation in areas of large social value but incommensurate commercial return in both low- and high-income country settings by identifying promising opportunities, developing high-impact proposals, and engaging with policymakers and funders.

MSA is hiring for a Research Assistant position based in Washington D.C. The Research Assistant will work with Professor Christopher Snyder of Dartmouth, Professor Rachel Glennerster of the University of Chicago and the Center for Global Development, and other colleagues at the Market Shaping Accelerator to support the development and adoption of high-impact market-shaping proposals designed to incentivize innovations addressing climate change, pandemic threats, global health challenges, and other pressing global problems.

This position offers excellent preparation for graduate study or a future policy career. Our Research Assistants engage with leading scholars and policymakers and contribute directly to the design of market shaping proposals. We expect our Research Assistants to support key workstreams and advance our policy work, not simply conduct isolated analysis. Previous Research Assistants have been admitted to economics Ph.D. programs at Harvard University, Harvard Business School, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Economic appraisal and quantitative modeling of market-shaping proposals (40%)
  • Benefit-cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis
  • Estimating the potential benefits of innovation, size of potential markets and cost of market shaping incentives.
  • Microeconomic modeling and related quantitative analysis
  • Modeling and data analysis in Stata, R, Python, and/or MATLAB
• Policy and sector analysis related to climate change, global health, and pandemic preparedness (25%) and other global challenges
  • Writing and revising drafts for policymakers and economists
  • Analysis of opportunities in specific sectors. This includes analysis of market dynamics, market structure, regulatory environment and implementation challenges.
• Desk research to identify promising candidate problems for market-shaping interventions (25%)
• Communication and coordination with relevant stakeholders (10%)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics or a related field including coursework in intermediate microeconomics and multivariable calculus or equivalent.
• Strong quantitative skills and experience with empirical research methods and/or microeconomic modeling
• Programming experience in at least one relevant language, such as Stata, R, Python, or MATLAB
• Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stay organized in a fast-moving research environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced quantitative preparation beyond the minimum requirements. This could include, for example, linear algebra, probability, statistics and econometrics, real analysis, ordinary differential equations, advanced microeconomics etc.
• Demonstrated interest in climate change, pandemic preparedness, global health, or related policy areas

Working Conditions

• Some domestic and possibly international travel may be required.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)
• Transcripts (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3) (required)

Closing date: October 15 at 11:59 pm ET. We may have an additional hiring round in early 2027.

Salary range: $54,500 - $60,000. Pay commensurate with education, skillset, and experience.

We manually review applications; no AI or automated filters are used to screen candidates.

The organization is working in a hybrid environment with all staff required to be in the office at least three days per week. CGD is registered to employ staff living in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Candidates must be able to declare a primary residence in one of these 3 locations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document upon hire. CGD is unable to sponsor work authorization for this position.

Read about CGD's benefits package here.