J-PAL Reviews

- despite my PI providing me with an amazing opportunity to grow, my PI was terrifying to actually speak to and work with, the hours were crazy, I barely had any life outside of work and finally, I had to do a lot of personal counselling (during and after my job) to undo a lot of the mental trauma and deep insecurity that surfaces when working such ungodly hours for so little pay and when working for a PI who was so smart/terrifying/demanding. - I didn't know that RAs basically had to say yes to every single thing that the PI asks - wish I had known this before joining J-PAL - J-PAL has a huge problem with hiring a certain kind of foreign-MPP/development studies, "cool" South-Delhi/ South-Bombay/South-Bangalore Econ grads who are all unanimously upper-caste and have a very particular way of interacting with the surveyors, with the staff and each other. For someone not from this socio-economic group, it is a bit isolating. If you are from this socio-economic group - you will have a fantastic time with all your "like-minded" people. The other RAs and managers are all very smart and fun but honestly, everyone sounds and looks and talks the same and it's difficult to get other perspectives.

Work is highly dependant on the project. Always on call. Senior management is incompetent. Even though the research deals with people, you aren't treated like you're a human. PIs are treated like gods. Some Managers don't stand up against the PIs even when RMs themselves have complaints. They barely stands up for the RAs.