Fellow – Business-Society Relations
1. POSITION VACANT: Fellow – Business-Society Relations, Centre for Social and Economic Progress, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) conducts in-depth, policy-relevant research and provides evidence-based recommendations to the challenges facing India and the world. It draws on the expertise of its researchers, extensive interactions with policymakers as well as convening power to enhance the impact of research.
CSEP researchers work across domains including, but not limited to, Growth, Finance, Health and Human Development; Energy, Natural Resources and Sustainability; and Foreign Policy and Security. All CSEP research and policy recommendations are freely available to the public.
CSEP is an independent, non-partisan research organisation based in New Delhi. It is registered as a company limited by shares and not for profit, under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 (earlier Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956).
CSEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons regardless of race, colour, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation shall have equal access to positions, limited only by their ability to do the job.
The newly launched Programme on Business-Society Relations at CSEP, New Delhi, will investigate business-society relations and how various stakeholders perceive the responsibilities of Indian businesses towards society. Within this broad theme, the programme will research how Indian corporates are responding to emerging demands. The objective of the research will be to produce evidence-based, policy-relevant research at the intersection of business strategy, corporate governance, and public accountability of corporates.
The research outputs will be disseminated through publications/ workshops and in an annual flagship event that will include a lecture by a globally recognised thought leader followed by a symposium on the theme.
3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:
Role Overview
The research programme is directed by a Senior Fellow. The Fellow will work with the Senior Fellow and anchor the intellectual agenda of the programme. Operating with a high degree of independence, the incumbent will contribute to programme design, lead and partner with research streams, co-author studies, manage the work of research analyst(s) and produce agreed research outputs. The Fellow will also be required to represent CSEP in scholarly and policy forums. The role demands research, scholarly and policy engagement, interacting with national and global thought leaders, and contributing to India's corporate governance discourse.
Advantages of Being Associated With CSEP
(1) Opportunity to engage with policymakers, senior government officials, industry leaders and distinguished academics from leading global institutions.
(2) Opportunity to grow and work at the forefront of collaboration with a diverse network of global partners, including multilateral organisations, research institutions, and leading industry stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
The Fellow will be expected to:
(1) Work on and be responsible for cutting-edge research streams, including conceptualisation, design, and delivery of findings on topics such as business-society relations, corporate legitimacy, stakeholder governance, and CSR policy in India.
(2) Co-develop research designs combining theoretical analysis, case studies, expert interviews, stakeholder surveys, and analysis of regulatory disclosures. Help develop survey instruments and interview protocols.
(3) Conduct literature reviews and synthesise international and Indian scholarship.
(4) Undertake stakeholder interviews with corporate leaders, investors, regulators, civil society organisations and policymakers to ground research in practical realities and ensure policy uptake.
(5) Produce high-quality research outputs including working papers, journal articles, policy briefs, and edited chapters, and take them through peer review and publication processes.
(6) Present findings at conferences, roundtables and stakeholder consultations.
(7) Participate in national and international conferences, roundtables, and executive forums, and contribute to public discourse through media and opinion articles.
(8) Supervise, mentor, and provide intellectual guidance to junior researchers and other project staff.
(9) Help plan and deliver the annual flagship event including the Annual Lecture and Symposium and other preparatory events leading up to the annual event.
(10) Contribute to proposal writing for external funding and assist in programme planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Essential Qualifications and Experience
(1) PhD in Management, Economics, Sociology, or a closely related discipline.
(2) Formal training or advanced coursework in research methods (both qualitative and quantitative).
Required Experience
Essential
(1) Minimum 5-7 years and maximum 15 years of high-quality research experience, with a demonstrable track record on business-related themes, preferably in the field of industrial organisation, corporate governance, business-society relations, etc.
(2) A good publication record, including journal articles, book chapters, or equivalent scholarly outputs.
(3) Demonstrated experience in mixed-methods research design, including stakeholder surveys, interviews, document analysis, and case study methodology.
Preferred
(1) Experience working at or closely with a policy research institution, think tank, regulator, or multilateral organisation.
(3) Experience supervising junior researchers or managing research projects.
(4) Experience engaging with senior corporate, government, or civil society stakeholders in a research or advisory capacity.
Key Competencies and Skills
Essential
(1) Ability to design and execute independent research from conceptualisation through publication, with minimal supervision.
(2) Strong theoretical foundation in at least one of the following fields: industrial organisation, corporate governance, business-society relations.
(3) Excellent research writing and communication skills - ability to produce both rigorous scholarly papers and accessible policy briefs for non-specialist audiences.
(4) Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to represent CSEP credibly before senior stakeholders.
(5) Ability to mentor and develop junior team members.
Preferred
(1) Working familiarity with quantitative analysis tools (STATA, R, or similar) and tools for qualitative data analysis.
(2) Familiarity with globally recognised ESG rating methodologies and impact assessment frameworks such as GRI, TCFD, etc.
6. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
CSEP offers a competitive compensation package, commensurate with qualifications and experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package.
7. LOCATION: Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
8. REFERENCE: FBSR-CSEP
9. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
10. APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit a single MS Word or PDF file containing:
(1) Detailed Curriculum Vitae, clearly indicating two referees and their contact details, and
(2) One work sample demonstrating relevant research or policy engagement.
Applications should be submitted no later than August 10, 2026.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.
