Research Associate, Research Scientist, Research Assistant​/Associate

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.

Final date to receive applications: 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

Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in low- and middle-income countries. DMI is 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.

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• With support, work with external research agencies (usually based in the country that we are working) to design and carry…