Associate Fellow – Trade and Industry

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Associate Fellow to work on topics related to Trade and Industry. S/he must be well-versed in trade and industrial policy developments, as well as have the ability to frame and conduct research on topics of relevance in a fast-changing world.

CSEP provides unique opportunities to work with policymakers, senior and distinguished Fellows at CSEP and researchers globally. We work with in-house, national and global experts, and regularly interact with stakeholders including industry and policymakers. The Associate Fellow will contribute to the conceptualisation and execution of the research agenda and support ongoing projects.

Advantages of Being Associated With CSEP

• Opportunity to engage with policymakers, senior government officials and distinguished academics from leading global institutions.
• Work at the forefront of collaboration with a diverse network of global partners, including multilateral organisations, research institutions and leading industry stakeholders.
• Opportunity to lead and contribute to fundraising efforts by identifying, cultivating and securing strategic partnerships and funding from diverse donor pool.

Requirements

• The research professional is expected to have a PhD in Economics from a reputed recognised institute within or outside India, and/or 5-6 years of relevant professional research experience in a public or private sector policy/research organisation, including a think tank, bank, research organisation or academia.
• Demonstrated interest in trade and industry research.
• Well-versed with applied econometrics and an aptitude to learn, use and verify AI tools for research, data analysis and visualisation, are essential.
• An understanding of the industry databases, like the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI).
• Experience in conducting research projects, as evidenced by publications, working papers or research reports.
• Experience in modelling/econometric techniques and knowledge of statistical software such as Stata, E-Views, Python, R.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex economic concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• A publication record and experience in empirical and policy-oriented research.

Responsibilities

• Working on key policy issues surrounding trade and industry.
• Use of trade and industry databases like WITS, ASI, and CMIE prowess for empirical research.
• Develop and implement research methodologies and frameworks to address research objectives and produce insightful reports.
• Contributing to research outputs like working papers, discussion papers, research blogs, op-eds.
• Engaging with various stakeholders, including government, industry, and think tanks.
• Collaborate with team members and contribute to the design and execution of research projects.
• Stay updated with the latest developments in the field of trade and industrial policies and participate in discussions within and outside CSEP.
• Prepare presentations, reports and research findings for internal experts and external audiences.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals, research papers and publications.
• Assist in mentoring research interns and support the overall functioning of the research team, as required.
• Support the external dissemination of research through seminars, workshops, opinion pieces and other outreach activities.

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

To apply, please submit a short cover letter (~400 words), with your resume (no more than 2 pages) containing links to your previous works and email ids of two referees and a writing sample.

Interested candidates may click here to apply.

The last date to apply is July 21, 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.

About CSEP

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) conducts independent, in-depth, and policy-relevant research, and provides evidence-based recommendations to the challenges facing India and the world. It draws on the expertise of its researchers, extensive interactions with policymakers as well as convening power to enhance the impact of research. Our researchers work across the domains of Economic Growth and Development including Urbanization; Energy, Natural Resources, Climate Change and Sustainability; and Foreign Policy and Security. All our research and policy recommendations are freely available to the public.

CSEP is based in New Delhi and registered as a company limited by shares and not for profit, under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013).

CSEP is an independent, non-partisan research organisation based in New Delhi. It is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons regardless of race, colour, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation shall have equal access to positions, limited only by their ability to do the job.

Note: The job description may be modified or amended as per organisational requirements and to align with changing research priorities.