Vacancies Details

People’s Resource Centre (PRC) invites applications for the position of Research Associate (Full-time) to join its Urban and Alternatives Programmes based in Delhi. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with critical issues shaping Indian cities, including urban mobility, decentralized and participatory governance, climate-responsive urban planning, local and indigenous knowledge systems, and the broader discourse around the Right to the City. PRC seeks committed individuals who are passionate about social justice, democratic urban development, and community-led research and action.

About the Role

The Research Associate will work closely with the Programme Coordinator and other team members to implement PRC’s research agenda. The role is research-intensive and action-oriented, combining policy analysis, field-based engagement, documentation, and public dissemination. The selected candidate will contribute to ongoing research projects while also supporting the conceptualization and development of new research initiatives. This position requires a high degree of independence, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a small, horizontal, and distributed team.

Key Responsibilities

The Research Associate will be responsible for a wide range of research, documentation, and engagement activities. Key responsibilities include familiarizing oneself with the objectives, history, methodologies, and outcomes of PRC’s ongoing projects. The role involves executing research activities related to city alternatives, sustainable urban mobility, climate-related urban challenges, Delhi’s Master Plan 2041, urban livelihoods, and decentralized governance structures.

Fieldwork and community engagement are integral to this position. The Research Associate will assist in conducting field studies, organizing and facilitating community interactions, anchoring discussions during public meetings, and supporting participatory research processes. The role also includes conducting extensive secondary research, reviewing policy documents, government plans, and academic literature, and preparing clear and comprehensive research summaries.

Another key responsibility is the dissemination of research findings. The Research Associate will support the preparation of detailed research reports, discussion papers, essays, and full-length articles. The role also requires translating academic and policy research into accessible content for wider audiences, including press notes, flyers, pamphlets, memos, policy briefs, and other outreach materials. Where required, the candidate may also contribute to audio-visual documentation and alternative forms of knowledge-sharing.

In addition, the Research Associate will collaborate with team members to identify new research funding opportunities, assist in proposal development, and help establish partnerships and research collaborations with academic institutions, civil society organizations, and movement groups. The role demands timely delivery of publication-ready outputs and adherence to project timelines.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree in any discipline from a recognized Indian university or institution. Candidates with a minimum of one year of relevant professional or research experience will be given preference. However, individuals with strong field experience, research aptitude, and demonstrated commitment to urban and social justice issues are also encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate should possess excellent written and oral communication skills in both Hindi and English, with the ability to read and interpret policy documents and produce high-quality reports. Strong organizational and project management skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Desired Skills and Attributes

PRC is looking for individuals who demonstrate a deep commitment to building just, inclusive, and sustainable cities rooted in democratic, participatory, and decentralized governance. Applicants should have experience or interest in community mobilization, public outreach, and participatory research methods. Familiarity with social media platforms for research dissemination and public engagement is desirable.

The role requires openness to learning, unlearning, and relearning, along with a willingness to engage critically with diverse perspectives. Candidates should be comfortable working in a horizontal organizational structure and collaborating closely with a small and distributed team. A strong interest in issues related to urbanization, climate justice, democratic rights of vulnerable communities, and sustainability is essential.

The Research Associate should also be willing to travel extensively across different parts of Delhi, including underserved and remote areas, as part of field-based research and community engagement activities.

Application Process

Interested candidates are requested to submit their curriculum vitae (CV) along with a recent field report showcasing their research or community engagement experience. Applications must be sent on or before 10th April 2025 to prc.india@yahoo.com. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further discussions or interviews.

Equal Opportunity Statement

People’s Resource Centre is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, caste, religion, ethnicity, age, marital status, disability, personal appearance, or sexual orientation. PRC is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where differences are respected and valued, and where collective learning strengthens research and action.

About People’s Resource Centre

People’s Resource Centre aims to build new infrastructures of solidarity grounded in collective learning, grassroots struggles, and people-led alternatives. PRC engages with communities and movement groups to explore pathways for reclaiming resources under democratic and collective control. Through policy research, documentation, monitoring, and grassroots networking, the organization works to address persistent challenges such as hunger, homelessness, environmental degradation, and social injustices rooted in caste, gender, religion, and economic inequality. PRC’s work seeks to generate knowledge that supports collective resistance, creative action, and transformative social change.