Applied online, and two weeks later I received an email from a reference of mine saying they had been contacted to provide a reference letter. The next day I received an email from HR to set up a STATA test, HR interview, and Hiring Manager interview(s). Was a bit uncomfortable that my references had been contacted but I had not been contacted previously. The HR rep was great, but the interview with the hiring managers was incredibly difficult (2:1). It did not feel that they knew what they wanted from the applicant for this position, and I was unclear if they had read my resume before walking in the door. I was told I would hear within two weeks and I have not yet heard after a month. IFPRI has an outstanding reputation but the interview process is excruciating without good communication from the HR rep. I was honest in my strengths and limitations but it seemed the job description should have reflected a greater attention to statistical methods if that is what they desired in a candidate.