Harvard University
Location
Cambridge, MA | United States
Job description
School: Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department/Area: Opportunity Insights
Position Description:
We are seeking a Research Scientist who will work with the senior leadership team of Opportunity Insights (OI) to conduct rigorous, high-quality research on the condition and drivers of economic mobility in the US. As a member of the OI team, the Research Scientist will help us set the standard for rigorous, policy-relevant analyses using large administrative datasets to develop research that improves economic mobility.
Opportunity Insights (OI) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute focused on improving economic opportunity. Founded in 2018, Opportunity Insight has become a nationally- and internationally-recognized leader in the science of economic mobility and in the use of large administrative data to understand and address inequality. Opportunity Insights has published seminal work on national trends in upward mobility ; racial disparities ; the role of neighborhoods , social capital , and higher education in upward mobility; and the use of private-sector data to understand disparate impacts in the recent economic recession and recovery . To complement this research, Opportunity Insights has developed data resources including the Opportunity Atlas , the Social Capital Atlas , and the Economic Tracker to support evidence-based policy and practice. To date, OI's work has shaped policy discussions at the national and local level, with nearly a dozen of its studies covered on the front pages of major media outlets , such as the New York Times , The Economist , the Wall Street Journal , and have been widely cited in policy discussions, including the President's State of the Union address.The Research Scientist will serve as a key member of OI's research team, working closely with OI co-Directors ( Raj Chetty , John Friedman , and Nathan Hendren ) and other Research Principals. The Research Scientist will work on OI research projects on conceptual and research design, project management, data management, analytics, and other areas. The role includes opportunities for co-authorship and to expand research into new directions. The Research Scientist will also support junior fellows as well as OI community activities such as the mobility seminar series and annual mobility conference.
Applicants are expected to have strong analytical skills, have demonstrated interest in OI's research agenda, and be skilled at working in team settings. We especially encourage applications from backgrounds under-represented in economics and related fields.
The Research Scientist is a two-year appointment to begin July 1, 2024*, renewable based on mutual agreement. This is a career-level position, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the field. The salary and benefits are competitive with other academic positions in economics. The position reports directly to Raj Chetty and is located in Cambridge, MA.
The mission of Opportunity Insights is to restore the American dream by using big data for robust research and policy impact. To learn more about Opportunity Insights, visit and
Basic Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent combination of education and experience in economics or related field.
Additional Qualifications:
SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS
Contact Information:
Questions regarding details of the position can be directed to: [email protected].
Contact Email: [email protected]
Special Instructions:
Candidates are required to submit CV, cover letter, a research statement, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for three references. The application is complete only when three letters have been submitted. We encourage candidates to apply by January 15, 2024, but will continue to review applications until the position is filled.
*Please note there is flexibility in the start date of the position.Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.
About Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
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