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Research Fellow (Assistant Professor) / Senior Research Fellow (Associate Professor) / Professorial Research Fellow (Full Professor)

School: Graduate School of Development, Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA)

Reports to: Associate Director IPPA

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Summary of the Positions

The University of Central Asia (UCA) seeks exceptional economists to join the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) within its Graduate School of Development (GSD). Established in 2011, IPPA provides robust, evidence-based research and analysis on the policy challenges shaping Central Asia. Its mission is to deliver outstanding postgraduate and executive education alongside impactful research that strengthens decision-making and contributes directly to economic and social development in Central Asia’s mountain societies and beyond.

We welcome applications from economists at all career stages, from recent PhD graduates eager to launch their academic careers, to mid-career scholars ready to lead ambitious projects, and senior professors seeking to bring their expertise to bear on transformative policy and development challenges.

About the Roles

The primary responsibility of the successful candidates will be to conduct and disseminate world-class research in priority areas such as:

• Sustainable Development and Climate Change
• Environmental and Carbon Economics
• Labour Markets and Human Capital
• Development Economics and Applied Data Analysis
• Agricultural and Food Security Economics
• Urban and Regional Development
• Macroeconomic Policy
• Health Economics and Policy

Core Duties and Responsibilities

(specific expectations will vary depending on level of appointment)

Research and Scholarship

• Lead and contribute to research projects in economics, public policy, and administration, while developing expertise in priority thematic areas and methodological approaches.
• Conduct rigorous analysis of macro- and microeconomic data, complemented where relevant by fieldwork and qualitative research, with openness to multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Produce high-quality outputs including peer-reviewed journal articles (Scopus / Web of Science), policy briefs, analytical reports, and other scholarly contributions.
• Actively pursue research funding by contributing to and leading grant proposals.
• Disseminate findings widely to academic, policy, and practitioner audiences through conferences, workshops, and public forums.
• Deploy research to impactful development and community based projects in Central Asia.

Teaching and Mentorship

• Contribute to the design and delivery of teaching modules in economics and related fields within GSD’s postgraduate and executive programmes.
• Play an active role in the development and teaching of UCA’s forthcoming Master’s in Economic Analysis with Data Science, helping to shape a first-of-its-kind programme in the region.
• Supervise graduate students and provide mentorship to more junior faculty and research staff.
• Contribute to the teaching and development of the UCA undergraduate teaching in economics related fields within the School of Arts and Sciences, as appropriate.

Partnerships and Engagement

• Build and sustain partnerships with research collaborators, policy stakeholders, and academic institutions across Kyrgyzstan, the wider Central Asian region, and internationally.
• Engage actively with IPPA’s partner units within GSD (e.g., Mountain Societies Research Institute, Cultural Heritage and Humanities Unit) to strengthen interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Represent IPPA and UCA at academic, professional, and policy-related events at national, regional, and international levels.

Institutional Contribution and Leadership

• Contribute to the effective administration of IPPA, GSD, and UCA through developing, planning, reporting, committee service, and event organisation as required.
• Foster a vibrant, team-based research and learning environment, contributing to an open, collegial, and high-performing culture.
• Develop leadership and management capacity in line with career stage and professional development plans, taking on increasing responsibilities commensurate with seniority.

Level-Specific Expectations

Research Fellow (Assistant Professor / Early-career)

• Develop and demonstrate expertise in a chosen field while contributing to collaborative projects.
• Conduct high-quality quantitative and/or qualitative research, with guidance from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Publish initial outputs in peer-reviewed journals and policy briefs, building a strong scholarly trajectory.
• Actively contribute to grant proposals and develop the skills needed for independent funding capture.
• Teach and support postgraduate courses, especially in technical areas (e.g., data analysis), and contribute to the development of the new Master’s programme.
• Provide mentorship to students and junior research assistants.
• Participate actively in IPPA and GSD seminars, workshops, and administrative processes.

Senior Research Fellow (Associate Professor / Mid-career)

• Lead independent and collaborative research projects in priority areas (sustainable development, labour, environmental and carbon economics, data science, etc.).
• Consistently publish in high-impact international journals and produce policy outputs with measurable influence.
• Take a lead role in grant capture and in managing externally funded projects.
• Take ownership of key components of the Master’s in Economic Analysis with Data Science, including curriculum design, teaching, and supervision.
• Mentor PhD students, junior staff, and Research Fellows, providing structured guidance for career development.
• Establish and strengthen national and regional partnerships, representing UCA at conferences and policy forums.
• Contribute to leadership and administration within IPPA and GSD (e.g., coordinating seminars, serving on committees).

Professorial Research Fellow (Full Professor / Established leader)

• Provide intellectual leadership in research and policy engagement, setting the agenda in key thematic areas.
• Consistently produce scholarship of international significance, with a track record of sustained publications and policy impact.
• Lead major, multi-partner, externally funded projects, bringing significant resources to UCA.
• Play a central role in the strategic development, management and delivery of the Master’s programme, ensuring its global quality and regional relevance.
• Supervise doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, while mentoring mid-career faculty in leadership and grant capture.
• Forge and lead high-level partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations, and international research networks.
• Contribute at the highest level to the governance and strategic direction of IPPA, GSD, and UCA, including chairing committees and shaping institutional policy.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Academic Background:
  • PhD in Economics or a closely related field, or very near completion at the time of application.
  • For more senior appointments: a proven record of scholarly leadership and an established international reputation.
• Language Skills:
  • Fluency in English (spoken and written) is essential.
  • Knowledge of Russian and/or Central Asian languages is a strong asset, as is a willingness to acquire working knowledge over time.
• Research Profile:
  • Demonstrated capacity to conduct high-quality, policy-relevant socioeconomic research.
  • Evidence of publications (or clear potential to publish) in peer-reviewed international journals indexed in Scopus / Web of Science.
  • Familiarity with quantitative and/or qualitative methods; openness to interdisciplinary approaches.
• Regional and Thematic Relevance:
  • Experience of conducting research in Central Asia or comparable development contexts is highly desirable.

How to Apply

Please submit your application (cover letter, CV and contact information of three references)