We welcome researchers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds whose expertise aligns with Cambodia’s development priorities. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the research domains of the following CDRI research centres:

• Centre for Development Economics and Trade (CDET)
• Centre for Policy Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CPARD)
• Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI)
• Centre for Governance and Public Innovation (CGPI)
• Centre for Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE)

Applicants may express interest in one or more of the research position levels below or in a Visiting Fellow affiliation. The requirements are indicative and will be used to determine whether an applicant meets the qualifications associated with each selected level or affiliation. Consideration for specific assignments or affiliations will also depend on demonstrated competencies, relevant experience, alignment with CDRI’s research priorities, and institutional needs.

·         Intern: Supports defined research and administrative tasks, including literature searches, fieldwork preparation, data entry, transcription, event support, and basic documentation, under close supervision. Applicants should be current students or recent graduates in a relevant discipline. They should demonstrate an interest in development research, reliability, willingness to learn, and basic organisational, communication, and digital skills. Prior research experience is an advantage but is not required.

·         Research Assistant: Supports literature reviews, research tool development, fieldwork, data entry and cleaning, preliminary analysis, and research administration. Applicants should hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline; demonstrate strong organisational, writing, and basic research skills; and show willingness to learn qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches. Familiarity with one or more analytical tools used by CDRI is an advantage.

·         Research Associate: Contributes to research design, data collection, data management and analysis, report drafting, and coordination of research activities. Applicants should normally hold a relevant master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant experience; demonstrate competence in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research; and have experience contributing to research reports, policy briefs, or comparable outputs.

·         Research Fellow: Leads or co-leads research projects, develops proposals and methodologies, supervises fieldwork and analysis, produces high-quality publications, engages stakeholders, and translates evidence into policy-relevant recommendations. Applicants should normally hold a relevant doctoral degree, or a master’s degree with significant research experience; demonstrate a strong record of independent research and publication; and possess project leadership, analytical, writing, and policy-engagement skills.

·         Senior Research Fellow: Provides intellectual and strategic leadership for major research programmes; leads complex, multidisciplinary studies; mentors researchers; mobilises resources; builds partnerships; and represents CDRI in high-level policy and scholarly forums. Applicants should normally hold a relevant doctoral degree or demonstrate an equivalent record of advanced research leadership; have an extensive portfolio of influential publications and policy engagement; and show substantial experience in programme leadership, research quality assurance, partnership development, and mentoring.

·         Visiting Fellow: Undertakes a time-bound affiliation to advance an agreed programme of independent or collaborative research. The fellow contributes specialist expertise, engages with CDRI researchers and stakeholders, and produces agreed deliverables such as seminars, publications, or policy outputs. Applicants should normally be established researchers or practitioners with an advanced degree or an equivalent record of recognised expertise. They should demonstrate a strong body of relevant research or professional work and propose a clear contribution aligned with CDRI’s research priorities.

We encourage both emerging and experienced researchers to express their interest. Applicants should:

• Be committed to research integrity, professionalism, and high-quality work;
• Have an academic or professional background relevant to development research;
• Demonstrate an interest in policy-oriented, evidence-based research;
• Possess relevant research, analytical, data analysis, or writing skills;
• Demonstrate experience working on, or strong familiarity with, development issues in Cambodia and/or the ASEAN region; and
• Be based in, or able to work in, Cambodia or the ASEAN region, or be available to contribute remotely where appropriate. Some assignments may require in-country presence, travel, fieldwork, or direct engagement with stakeholders.

This is an open invitation rather than a recruitment process for a specific vacancy.

Submissions may be reviewed on a rolling basis against the applicant criteria set out under “Who Should Apply?” and the indicative qualifications for each research position level selected by the applicant. Applicants who meet those requirements may be included in one or more corresponding researcher pools.

Researchers may be considered for specific opportunities based on CDRI’s institutional and project needs, the relevance of their expertise and experience, the requirements of the assignment, and the availability of suitable opportunities.

CDRI may contact suitable researchers as relevant needs arise. Paid research engagements and assignments arising through this process are subject to the terms, duration, scope of work, and funding available for the relevant opportunity. Visiting Fellow affiliations are typically honorary and unpaid; however, remuneration may be provided where Visiting Fellows are engaged in funded research projects or specific assignments. Inclusion in a researcher pool does not guarantee an assignment, appointment, or other engagement.

Interested applicants should submit the following:

1.      An updated CV;

2.      A brief expression of interest outlining the applicant’s research interests, relevant expertise, and preferred areas of contribution;

3.      Up to three research samples (optional) demonstrating the applicant’s research experience, analytical skills, or subject-matter expertise; and

4.      Any additional supporting documents requested by CDRI during the review or consideration process.

Research samples may include published or unpublished journal articles, working papers, policy briefs, research reports, or other relevant outputs.