Research Associate

Reports to:  Head of Research

Responsible for (personnel): N/A

Start date: September 2026 or ASAP thereafter

Term: Full time, one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension.

Based in: The role is based at DMI's London office, with hybrid working in line with organisational policy.
You will normally be expected to work from the London office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The role may also involve occasional international travel.

Salary: £34,000 per annum, dependent on experience, plus 5% pension contribution, 25 days annual leave, and private health insurance.

Application deadline: 23:59 on 2nd August 2026.

Application process:  Applications should include an up-to-date CV and brief written responses to the application questions.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first-round interview, conducted remotely. Candidates who are successful at this stage will then be invited to complete a skills assessment ahead of an in-person second-round interview.

Interview dates (indicative):   First-round: 6th August 2026, Second-round: 18th August 2026

About DMI

Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in low- and middle-income countries. We are the first organisation to scientifically demonstrate that mass media can increase life-saving behaviours (see the results of our RCT that proved our interventions can save thousands of children’s lives, here).

DMI has two priorities: first, to continue to generate ground-breaking research, second, to take our proven strategies to scale, improving health outcomes and saving as many lives as possible. We work across a range of health issues, including child survival, reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and early childhood development. DMI works in close partnership with leading experts in health, including WHO, UNICEF and LSHTM and has been funded by some of the world’s most prestigious organisations including Wellcome, DFID, Comic Relief, the Global Innovation Fund, Unorthodox Philanthropy, and the Mulago Foundation.

We are an innovative organisation, working at the nexus between science and creativity. DMI has demonstrated that enabling people with the knowledge, motivation, and support to adopt healthier behaviours is not only a human right but is also the key to saving lives in a cost-effective way. Our intellectual rigour, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from both our successes and mistakes, makes us distinct. Our ethos is non-hierarchical: all our staff are intellectually high-powered, and we have a “best idea wins” culture. By working at DMI you will have a genuine, measurable impact on improving lives in low- and middle-income countries.

DMI has a permanent presence in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, and also currently works in Ethiopia. DMI’s London office overlooks the Regents Canal near Kings Cross in London and provides the strategic direction for the whole organisation.

DMI is ranked as one of the most cost-effective non-profit organisations by The Life You Can Save.

Job description

DMI is looking to recruit a Research Associate to join our research team in London. We welcome applications from early-career researchers with strong quantitative research and analytical skills who are interested in global health and applied research.

Working closely with the Head of Research, the Research Associate will support the design, delivery, analysis, and dissemination of DMI's research and evaluation activities. Specific responsibilities include: 

1. Conduct quantitative analysis of formative and evaluation data using appropriate statistical methods and software, including the analysis of randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental evaluations (e.g. difference-in-differences, interrupted time series, matching-based methods), and contribute to the interpretation and communication of research findings.


2. Contribute to writing high-quality reports and research outputs based on data collected through DMI projects. This will include articles for peer-reviewed academic journals and wider scientific publications.


3. With support, work with external research agencies (usually based in the country that we are working) to design and carry out surveys. This includes the liaising with the selected agency, reviewing outputs, and ensuring that their work is of the highest scientific standards.


4. Support research teams in DMI's national offices to plan and conduct routine research activities (e.g., focus groups to understand barriers to behaviour change) and other project-specific research tasks.


5. Support the design of effective and rigorous evaluations (both quantitative and qualitative), including providing technical input into monitoring and evaluation approaches during proposal development.


6. Support the wider research team in communicating with, providing technical research support, and building the research capacity of colleagues and sub-contractors in the areas of research methods, analysis, and interpretation


7. Keeping abreast of the latest research evidence, methods, theories, and concepts relevant to DMI’s campaign topics, and communicating trends and new ideas across the organisation.


8. Other tasks as required by DMI.

Person specification

Required knowledge, skills and experience  

1. Very strong intellectual ability, with a Master's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., epidemiology, public health, health economics, social sciences, statistics, biomedical sciences).


2. Practical experience with, and good working knowledge of, statistical analysis software programmes, such as Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS, and strong general IT skills including questionnaire design, database development, and working with complex spreadsheets.


3. An inquisitive and open-minded approach, with demonstrated ability and willingness to learn quickly and apply new methods, tools, and subject knowledge across a range of topics.


4. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Willingness and ability to take the initiative not only in identifying problems but also in suggesting and implementing solutions.


5. Excellent writing skills in English, demonstrated through academic writing such as dissertations, reports, or publications. Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.


6. Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to understand the pressures, uncertainties, and difficulties of working in an international development context.


7. The ability to understand different cultural contexts, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa.

Desirable knowledge, skills and experience 

1. Language ability in French (highly desirable). Fluency in other languages spoken in DMI’s countries of operation is also desirable.


2. Some practical experience of designing, monitoring, and evaluating projects, preferably with some research experience in developing countries and/or geographically displaced colleagues.

DMI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

DMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. Where appropriate, successful candidates will undergo background and reference checks. All DMI employees will be required to self-declare prior issues of sexual or other misconduct, termination of past employment, criminal records, and concerns registered with government authorities regarding contact with children.