Jobs & Career
Graduate Research Assistant Position – Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington (Remote Option Available)
Published: October 24, 2025
Application Deadline: November 7, 2025
Start Date: January 1, 2026
Location: Remote or Campus-Based (University of Washington, USA)
Compensation: $3,283 – $3,621/month + full benefits
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
📘 Overview
The Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington is inviting applications for a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position to support an international development research project titled:
“Understanding Equity and Efficiency in the Disbursement of Identity Cards for Social Protection.”
This exciting opportunity allows a graduate student to work directly with Assistant Professor Isabelle Cohen and contribute to a high-impact, data-driven research project focused on improving social protection mechanisms in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
🧠 About the Project
Kaduna State is pioneering a groundbreaking initiative to provide Residents Cards — identity documents that also serve as bank-linked accounts enabling cash transfer disbursements for vulnerable populations.
To ensure the effectiveness and fairness of this rollout, researchers will evaluate two distribution models:
- Centralized Card Distribution
- Door-to-Door Card Distribution
The project will analyze data from over 8,500 recipients, combining administrative and social registry data to assess both cost-effectiveness and equity outcomes of each approach.
💼 Position Details
- Title: Graduate Research Assistant
- Duration: 1 academic quarter (approx. 3 months)
- Hours: 20 hours/week (50% FTE)
- Schedule: Flexible/Remote possible
- Supervisor: Dr. Isabelle Cohen
- Appointment Type: Schedule 1 (includes tuition and health insurance benefits)
🧾 Key Responsibilities
The selected Research Assistant will be responsible for:
- Cleaning and organizing administrative and survey data from Kaduna State.
- Conducting statistical and regression analyses using Stata.
- Assisting with data visualization, cost analysis, and reporting.
- Writing and editing academic paper sections, including methodology and data description.
- Reviewing relevant literature in development economics and RCT design.
- Supporting communication and data management with partner agencies in Nigeria.
🧑🎓 Required Qualifications
Essential Criteria:
- Enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program.
- Advanced Stata programming and data analysis skills (merging, cleaning, automating outputs).
- Familiarity with LaTeX typesetting for research reports.
- Strong interest and understanding of development economics and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Desirable Criteria:
- Prior experience working on RCTs or field experiments.
- Team research experience with contributions to academic outputs.
💰 Salary & Benefits
Salary Range (Academic Year 2025–2026):
💵 $3,283 – $3,621/month (50% FTE), depending on qualifications and experience.
Benefits Include:
- Full tuition waiver (operating, building, and tech fees).
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance via the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP).
- Up to 10 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 28 hours of sick leave (prorated).
- U-PASS transit benefit for local commuting.
📩 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents by November 7, 2025:
- CV/Resume
- A sample Stata do-file (converted to PDF) demonstrating your coding proficiency
- A short cover letter (max 1 page) outlining:
- Your motivation for applying
- How you meet the selection criteria
📤 Submit your application via Handshake: (Use the link below)
📧 For inquiries, contact:
Dr. Isabelle Cohen – imcohen@uw.edu
♿ Accessibility & Equal Opportunity
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. Candidates needing disability accommodations may contact the Disability Services Office at:
📞 206-543-6450 | 📠 206-685-7264 | ✉️ dso@uw.edu
Note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
🔖 About the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance
Located at one of the world’s top public research universities, the Evans School prepares students to lead in public service and social innovation. The school’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking makes it an ideal environment for students passionate about using data and research to drive real-world change.
Apply Now: https://careers.uw.edu/jobs/evans-school-of-public-policy-governance-university-of-washington-graduate-research-assistant-2/
