Harvard University’s Center for International Development (CID) is a world leader in research aimed at addressing the most important issues in international development. CID, which is headquartered in the Harvard Kennedy School, acts as a center for interdisciplinary cooperation among Harvard’s faculty. In order to address global development concerns, it brings together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to use rigorous analytical tools. In order to create evidence-based solutions and create a more prosperous and inclusive world, the center actively collaborates with policymakers and brings in talent from around the world.
Synopsis of the Research Fellow Role
The research fellow will be directly supervised by Professor Rema Hanna, whose present research focuses on labor markets, tax policy, urban mobility in the context of climate change, and social protection. The projects are situated in nations including Morocco, India, and Indonesia and employ a range of research methodologies, with a particular focus on sophisticated econometric tools and randomized assessments. The work often combines cutting-edge computer science techniques with conventional economic analysis, incorporating computational optimization and machine learning.
Research projects address some real-world problems, like:
- Increasing Indonesian informal workforce access to insurance
- Using computer modeling to optimize Jakarta’s public transportation system
- Indian property tax system reform
- Assessing Morocco’s public employment services
Fellows are essential to the research process because they help with study design, data administration and collection, statistical analysis, and communication with research partners and policymakers. Fellows have access to professional development, mentoring, and the larger Harvard academic community, and they are essential components of CID’s research environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Cleaning and organizing complex and big datasets
- Using Stata to perform econometric analysis
- Assisting with survey design and creating guidelines for data requests
- Creating research results and technical documentation for audiences in academia and policy
- Performing background research and literature reviews
- Creating content for scholarly papers, policy briefs, grant proposals, and reports
- Collaborating with members of the study team, including those from other countries
- Visiting field sites as needed
Candidate Qualifications
Required
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in international development, public policy, economics, or a closely related discipline with a significant focus on quantitative methods and economics
- Exhibited excellence in academics
- Excellent knowledge of Stata and familiarity with handling big datasets
- Comprehensive understanding of applied econometrics and randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Strong self-motivation, organization, and attention to detail. Strong English writing and communication abilities. High Microsoft Office proficiency, particularly in Word and Excel. Ability to collaborate with multinational and interdisciplinary teams
- Being open to spending time overseas for fieldwork
Preferred
- A master’s degree with advanced instruction in econometrics or economics
- Knowledge of other programming languages, including R, Python, or Julia
- Familiarity with remote computer environments, GitHub, and Qualtrics
- Experience implementing surveys, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions on causality
- Knowledge on social safety nets, taxation, financial inclusion, and labor markets in underdeveloped nations.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the J-PAL/IPA common application system. Once you have registered, choose the “University-based Data Research Associate” job category and enter “Research Fellow – Harvard CID (Prof. Rema Hanna).”
The required materials are as follows:
- One-page cover letter
- A Curriculum Vitae
- An example of code that shows knowledge of R, Python, or Stata
- Two recommendation letters, preferably from academic references
- All finished and ongoing degree transcripts (unofficial copies accepted)
Since they might also be considered for comparable positions at partner schools, candidates are urged to choose “open recruitment.” Applications are not complete until all required materials—aside from recommendation letters—have been submitted, and they will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Those who make the short list will be called for interviews, a coding test, and possibly additional paperwork.
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