2 Research Associates (Category-III) at Ministry of Commerce Government of Pakistan 2026

About the Job

The Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan has announced a new Vacancy Announcement to induct qualified, motivated, and research-driven Research Associates into its core research team. Dedicated to enhancing Pakistan's trade and economic performance, the Ministry aims to develop evidence-based policies and strategies through these appointments. Eligible candidates seeking a contract-based research role within the federal government can find the comprehensive criteria and application details below.

Jod Overview

• Organization: Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan
• Designation: Research Associate (Category-III)
• Total Number of Posts: 2
• Job Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
• Job Type: Contract Basis (Initially for 1 year, extendable based on performance)
• Application Deadline: Within 15 days of the publication of the advertisement
• Official Advertisement Reference: PID(I)9638/25

Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications

Educational Background

• Degree: Masters or equivalent (16 years of education) from a recognized institution.
• Eligible Disciplines: Economics, Public Policy, International Trade, International Development, or any relevant social sciences discipline.

Experience & Publications

• Minimum Experience: Three (3) years of relevant experience.
• Publication Mandate: At least one (1) publication in reputable peer-reviewed academic journals, books or book chapters, and/or conference proceedings.

Age Limit

• Maximum Age: 35 Years (calculated on the date of advertisement).

Required Skills & Technical Competencies

• Expertise in handling data using Advanced Excel techniques.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Experience in data cleaning and handling micro datasets.
• Desirable Skills (Preferred): Practical experience in using Power BI, Stata, or Python/R, etc.

Terms & Conditions / Instructions

1. Contract Framework: Appointments will be made on a contract basis, initially for a period of one (1) year, which is further extendable based on satisfactory performance. Successful candidates will be offered market-competitive salaries.
2. In-Service Applicants: In the case of a government servant, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the present employer is mandatory at the time of application submission.
3. Selection Protocol: Only short-listed candidates will be called for interviews. No TA/DA will be admissible for appearing in the interview. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will be rejected.
4. Job Descriptions: Detailed Job Descriptions and Terms of Reference (ToRs) against the posts can be viewed on the Ministry’s website at www.commerce.gov.pk.
5. Ministry Prerogative: The Ministry of Commerce reserves the right to cancel/postpone this recruitment process or alter the number of vacancies, contractual period, terms, and conditions of employment at any stage.

How to Apply Online for Ministry of Commerce Research Associate Jobs

Candidates must fulfill a mandatory two-step submission process consisting of an online application form followed by the physical dispatch of hard-copy documents within 15 days of publication:

• Step 1 (Online Application): Application forms must be filled out directly through the official portal available on the website of the Ministry of Commerce at [https://careers.commerce.gov.pk](https://careers.commerce.gov.pk). Applications on the prescribed format must be submitted "ONLY" through the "Online Application Form" available on MoC's Job Portal. Applicants must include relevant publications that best demonstrate their qualifications for the role.
• Step 2 (Hard Copy Submission): An attested copy of the candidate's CNIC, a detailed CV, and the Printout of the Online submitted Application Form MUST reach the official postal address below within fifteen (15) days of the advertisement's publication.

Official Postal Address for Document Dispatch

Section Officer (HR-I), Ministry of Commerce, 5th Floor, Block-A, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Tel: 051-9201011

Expert Advice for Applicants

1. Securing a Research Associate position within a federal ministry demands a demonstration of exceptional technical precision that goes beyond a standard administrative resume.
2. The screening committee values objective evidence of analytical proficiency, meaning candidates must highlight explicit projects where they handled large-scale datasets. Ensuring your portfolio showcases direct ownership over data models will distinguish your application from the baseline pool.
3. Applicants must pay meticulous attention to the academic publication mandate highlighted in the advertisement. When filling out the online profile, ensure that the title, journal name, and digital object identifier (DOI) or link of your peer-reviewed paper are accurately cited, and include a copy of the publication with your physical documents.
4. If you have practical background experience in the desirable tools like Stata, Python, or Power BI, it is highly recommended to explicitly detail those analytical proficiencies in a separate technical skills section on your CV.
5. Finally, because the recruitment follows a strict dual-submission format, administrative compliance is critical to avoid immediate disqualification. Applicants should cross-check that their online printed form matches their physical attachments precisely, with all photocopies cleanly attested.
6. Government employees must secure their departmental NOC immediately to submit alongside the packet rather than hoping to present it at the interview, as omissions at the intake stage will cause the application to be rejected.