Job Description

Title: Research Fellow - DataSense (A Strategic Business Unit of iSocial)

Company Name: iSocial (It’s a Social Enterprise)

Vacancy: --

Age: Na

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Salary: --

Experience:

Published: 2026-02-24

Application Deadline: 2026-03-24

Education:

• PhD (or advanced Master’s with significant research experience) in Economics, Public Policy, with specialization in Digital Economy, Digital Society, Digital Governance, Labour Economics, Labour Migration.

KEY REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLSET

• Minimum 7 years of overall research experience, including at least 3 years in team management and business development.
• Strong track record of publications, including peer-reviewed journals, reports, and policy briefs.
• Proven ability to engage policymakers, development partners, and civil society with evidence-based recommendations.
• Leadership and mentoring skills, including experience in managing research teams and guiding DataSense teams working under multiple projects.
• Strong command of English and Bangla in both written and verbal communication.
• Excellent analytical, report and proposal writing, and presentation skills.

ABOUT US:

iSocial is a policy-driven, for-profit social enterprise doing impact business. iSocial specializes in data-driven insights, strategic policy advocacy, and innovative digital solutions. iSocial delivers research and policy analytics, promotes entrepreneurship, and drives digital transformation in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem. With core competencies in large-scale surveys, data analytics, strategy development, and user-centered design, iSocial is committed to excellence, guided by ethical standards such as GDPR-compliant data privacy policies.

DataSense is one of the three core SBUs at iSocial for research and data intelligence. It offers services to corporates, non-profits, and development agencies in Bangladesh and abroad, as well as to the Government of Bangladesh. This unit conducts systemic research, policy analysis, data collection, data curation, data analytics for operations management, and evidence-based insights to simplify executive and policy decision-making. This has enabled DataSense to grow into a multidisciplinary team of professionals, educated and trained in Bangladesh and abroad. The research team works out of Bangladesh, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. One of our flagship research initiatives is in collaboration with The Business Standard, known as Economic Intelligence Bangladesh.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Research Fellow will lead iSocial’s research, business development, networking, policy analysis, and advocacy. This role requires strategic thinking, high-quality research output, team management and building capacity, and active engagement with government, development partners, and civil society to shape national and global discourse.

JOB NATURE AND MODALITY

• Full-time (Sunday through Thursday)
• Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote weekly). This may be adjusted based on project requirements.
• Field visit outside Dhaka may be required.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Lead design and implementation of research on various economic and digital issues and produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, and journal articles.
• Write research proposals as a part of business development, providing technical input and participating in partnership development and networking to identify opportunities and win work.
• Conduct policy reviews, impact evaluations, and sectoral analysis to inform advocacy.
• Engage with government, development partners, and civil society to shape evidence-based policy.
• Manage a research team and mentor team members and interns in relevant projects.
• Represent iSocial in conferences, roundtables, and dialogues on climate and sustainability.

RELEVANT TRAITS

• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence policy and practice.
• Strong leadership, team management, and mentoring ability.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to social impact, inclusivity, and sustainability.

DATASENSE'S VALUE ADDITION

• Opportunity to shape national and organizational discourse on economy and labour transitions.
• Hands-on leadership in high-impact research with visibility across government, development partners, and academia.
• Professional growth through collaboration with global experts and cross-sectoral stakeholders.
• Access to mentorship from iSocial’s Chairperson, guest trainers and leadership team.
• Platform to build personal and professional reputation through publications, conferences, and policy dialogues.

Salary: Negotiable (Based on experience and competency) Subsidies lunch Two festival bonuses Travel allowances, per diem, and accommodation stipends, when applicable Compensatory leave for working extra hours and weekends or holidays Exposure to national and international ecosystem initiatives.