The JA Institute is the research and innovation arm of JA Worldwide—one of the world’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs. We produce interdisciplinary research and actionable insights that influence policy, education, philanthropy, and corporate strategy to expand economic opportunity for young people.

Our four impact focus areas are:

• Youth Entrepreneurship

• Economic Empowerment

• Employability and Tech Readiness

• Educating for Future Skills

The JA Institute Research Advisory Council consists of global thought leaders in technology, education, and economics. Learn more at ja.institute.

The Role

We are seeking a Research Fellow to support and lead research projects that contribute to global conversations on youth development, education, and the future of work. This position is ideal for a master’s or DPhil/PhD student with a strong interest in applied research, social innovation, evidence-based policymaking. We will also consider MA, MFA, or PhD candidate in creative writing, media, communications, or other writing-centered field for a thought-leadership fellowship, contributing to The JA Institute’s publications.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to run research projects semi-independently, contribute to The JA Institute’s thought leadership efforts (including working papers, policy briefs, and blog posts), and collaborate across JA Worldwide’s global network of partners, practitioners, and academics.

This cohort of Research Fellows will design survey instruments for program evaluations across our four impact focus areas, contribute analytics expertise to our global AI in Entrepreneurship Education Competency research, and support project- and thought-leadership development. Research Fellows may have the opportunity to publish their work under co-authorship.

Responsibilities

• Manage research projects independently that align with The JA Institute’s four impact focus areas.

• Conduct quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research using global and regional datasets.

• Contribute to research design and data collection.

• Analyze data using statistical software (e.g., R, Python, or Stata), and translate findings into clear narratives.

• Draft white papers, policy memos, op-eds, and academic-style publications.

• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders, including funders, JA leadership, and regional teams.

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a Master’s or DPhil/PhD program in economics, education, data science, international development, public policy, or a related field

• Proven experience conducting applied research or policy evaluation

• Excellent writing skills with a record of producing clear, compelling research outputs

• Ability to manage projects and multiple priorities from a remote office

• Demonstrated interest in one or more of The JA Institute’s impact focus areas same comment as above

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with youth-focused learning experiences and programs, especially in education, entrepreneurship, or employment

• Familiarity with development economics, labor economics, or innovation in education

• Experience using natural-language processing, AI tools, or advanced analytics methods

• Prior publication or blog writing experience in an academic, think tank, or policy context

• Cross-cultural awareness and ability to collaborate with global teams

Why Join The JA Institute?

• Purposeful work: Drive real-world impact in youth development and economic opportunity.

• Thought leadership: Shape discourse at the intersection of education, employment, and emerging technology.

• Global network: Collaborate with leaders across JA’s 100+ country offices and international partners.

• Flexible and remote: Flexibility to manage your schedule and work from anywhere.

• Mentorship and growth: Receive mentorship from world-class researchers and innovation leaders.

Location 

This is a remote fellowship.

Commitment

Flexible hours, typically 10–20 hours per week

Compensation 

Competitive and commensurate with related research work

Start date

Rolling fellowship; applications open until position(s) filled

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following to institute@jaworldwide.org with the subject line “Application–Research Fellow:”

• A brief cover letter (no more than 500 words) describing your fit and interest

• CV or résumé

• A relevant writing sample (research paper, policy brief, or blog post)

• (Optional) Link to your portfolio, GitHub, or research profile