The Center for Global Development (CGD) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization in Washington, DC, and London, UK that focuses on the issues and institutions critical to inclusive development. The Market Shaping Accelerator (MSA), housed at CGD and founded by Rachel Glennerster, Michael Kremer and Christopher Snyder, aims to catalyze the development of advance market commitments and other market shaping mechanisms to incentivize innovations addressing pressing global challenges including global health, pandemic preparedness, climate, AI safety, and drug repurposing.
MSA is hiring for a Washington D.C.-based position that may be filled at either the Fellow or Senior Fellow level depending on the candidate's qualifications. Applications are welcome from economists finishing a PhD and from those with several years of post-PhD experience, with expertise in economics and a strong interest in market shaping, pull incentives, and innovation policy.
The fellow/senior fellow will develop and implement a research agenda on how market shaping mechanisms can align private incentives with social value to accelerate innovation for global public goods, including designing and evaluating pull mechanisms such as advance market commitments, prizes, milestone payments, and other outcome-based funding models.
Responsibilities include: designing and leading a research agenda combining economic modeling, quantitative analysis, institutional knowledge, and practical policy design; helping mobilize funding for MSA's work; representing MSA externally through speaking engagements, blogging, and convenings, and engaging with donor, policymaker, and technical expert communities; publishing reports, papers, policy briefs, and timely commentary; and providing analytical support to colleagues' research while supervising and mentoring associate staff.
Qualifications: a PhD in economics (completed or expected before the start date) with training in economic theory, industrial organization, market design, innovation economics, or a related subfield; keen interest in policy impact and demonstrated ability to take a policy project from ideation to execution; strong analytical training including microeconomic theory, applied modeling and quantitative analysis; judgment in identifying high-impact policy questions; excellent oral and written communication skills; and ability to work independently within a small organization. The Senior Fellow level additionally requires at least five years of relevant post-PhD experience, a distinguished body of work, prominence in market shaping/innovation policy, a track record of generating external financial support, and experience managing complex research projects and mentoring junior colleagues.
Salary range: Fellow $130,000–$150,000 per annum; Senior Fellow $170,000–$190,000 per annum. Hybrid environment with staff required in the office at least three days per week; candidates must declare a primary residence in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. CGD will sponsor US work authorization for this position.
Closing date: 2027-03-01
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the CGD application portal. Interested candidates should submit (1) a cover letter indicating which level you are applying for and describing your interest in joining the MSA team and your experience with market shaping, innovation policy, industrial organization, market design, or related economic-policy analysis, (2) a writing sample such as a research paper that demonstrates your analytical writing skills—either a published or working paper (an additional policy-facing piece of 500–1,000 words is also welcome), and (3) a CV. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with review deadlines of Nov 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027; the position closes March 1, 2027 at 11:59 ET.
https://centerforglobaldevelopment.applytojob.com/apply/nDb6lMwpMb/FellowSenior-Fellow-Market-Shaping-Accelerator