Research Associate - Artificial Intelligence and Judicial State Capacity

Country: India

Project: Artificial Intelligence and Judicial State Capacity

Start Date (earliest): July 1, 2025

Base Location: Odisha, India

Length of Commitment: 1 year

Language requirement: English, Hindi

Language preference: Odia

PIs: Utkash Saxena (Oxford), Ananya Kotia (LSE)

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of 194 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research in India, leads J-PAL’s work in the South Asia region. J-PAL South Asia conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs. Over more than ten years of existence, J-PAL South Asia has conducted 193 ongoing and completed randomized evaluations.

This project aims to tackle India’s overwhelming judicial backlog—currently over 50 million cases—by introducing and evaluating artificial intelligence tools in courtrooms across a major Indian state. Tools such as transcription, translation, OCR scanning, and digital case flow management are being introduced to assist judges and court staff in managing case proceedings more efficiently. Through a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT), the project will generate rigorous evidence on whether these technologies can lead to faster case resolution, reduce administrative burdens, and improve judicial quality and access to justice.

We are seeking two highly motivated Research Associates to support the implementation of a large-scale field study evaluating the use of AI tools in courtrooms. The RAs will play a central role in coordinating with local stakeholders—including judges, court staff, and implementation partners—managing on-ground operations, and ensuring smooth data collection, monitoring and analysis. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of law, technology, governance, and public policy in India, combining field engagement, data-driven research, and policy-relevant insights.

The Research Associates will be based in Odisha and will play a central role in the successful execution of the study on the ground. They will work closely with the Research Manager, the Principal Investigators (PIs) and their Research Assistants to ensure smooth implementation and high-quality research outcomes. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Overseeing day-to-day implementation of the RCT in treatment and control courtrooms, including tracking timelines and protocols.

• Managing and supervising data collection, ensuring adherence to research protocols, and working with field teams to maintain high data quality.

• Leading the end-to-end survey process, from designing questionnaires to piloting, refining based on feedback, and managing field rollout.

• Cleaning and analyzing primary survey data and administrative court data to generate insights and contribute to regular monitoring and evaluation reports.

• Coordinating with Adalat AI, the legal tech partner providing the AI tools, to ensure smooth deployment and troubleshooting in treatment courts.

• Liaising with Odisha judicial staff and local stakeholders to facilitate implementation and maintain productive working relationships.

• Supporting the research team in drafting reports, documentation, and presentations for internal and external audiences.

• Assisting in the dissemination of findings to policy and academic stakeholders through briefs, presentations, and events.

• Maintaining general project documentation, including tracking field activities, key decisions, and operational learnings.

• Ensuring compliance with all J-PAL protocols and policies, including those related to human subjects research, data security, and ethics.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, or related social science field. Master's degree in Economics, Data Science or related sub areas is a plus.

• Languages: Proficiency in English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of Odia is strongly preferred.

• Experience:

• Experience in supervising data collection activities, coordinating with field staff, and managing and analyzing datasets is essential.

• Some prior experience conducting social science or economic field research is preferred.

• Prior experience working in or with courts, or a background in law or legal research, is preferred.

• Technical Skills: Strong data analysis and coding skills - Working knowledge of Stata/R.

• Strong Quantitative Skills and familiarity with RCTs.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, while also being self-motivated, flexible, and capable of independent work.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask and manage competing priorities in a dynamic research setting.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Candidates must have work authorization to work in India.