Research Fellow (Prof. Rema Hanna)
- United States of America
Summary of the Organization:
The Center for International Development (CID) is Harvard University’s hub for cutting-edge research on the world’s most pressing international development issues. Based at Harvard Kennedy School, CID brings researchers and practitioners together across the university to collaborate, using the latest analytical tools to address pressing development challenges. CID builds, convenes, and deploys global talent worldwide to build a thriving world for all. For more information on CID, visit our website (https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid).
Summary of the Role:
CID research fellows work closely with faculty on specific research projects. Professor Rema Hanna’s current projects include randomized evaluations of Indonesian social programs including electricity subsidies, insurance for informal workers, and a novel graduation from poverty program, as well as a study on the optimization of Jakarta’s bus system. We are conducting a suite of experimental and quasi-experimental studies in both Indonesia and India to better understand how countries can increase the efficiency of their tax collection and ultimately raise more revenue to support public programs. In Morocco, we are conducting a randomized experiment on public employment services. These diverse projects are connected bound by the common threads of rigorous methods and high potential for real-world impact, and new projects form all the time as we work closely with policymakers to understand pressing issues and to develop and test solutions.
Fellows come from diverse backgrounds and bring highly valued technical skillsets and cultural perspectives to our research teams. Fellows receive mentoring from faculty, work with cutting-edge topics and research methods, and participate in a broad range of activities at Harvard. They are welcomed as members of the Harvard community and receive salary, benefits, and access to an array of university resources. Fellows are among the best and the brightest of future researchers and practitioners in Economics, Public Policy, and related fields, and many go on to top PhD programs or pursue careers outside of academia, supporting and implementing evidence-based policy from a variety of organizations.
This specific fellowship be will under the direction of Professor Rema Hanna and focus on projects in Indonesia, India, and Morocco, with opportunities to interface with other researchers and support additional projects. We are seeking a full-time research fellow for one year, with the strong possibility of second-year renewal, starting in May-August 2025. The position will be based in Cambridge, MA, with the possibility of hybrid in-office/remote scheduling in accordance with university flexwork policies.
Responsibilities:
1) Clean and manage large datasets
2) Conduct statistical analyses in Stata
3) Develop survey instruments and data request documents for data collection
4) Create technical documentation for internal and external audiences
5) Conduct background research and literature reviews
6) Draft content for reports to policymakers, academic papers, grant proposals, research protocols, and other project documents
7) Coordinate with a variety of research team members at CID and partner organizations, including those based internationally
8) Travel to the field as needed
Qualifications:
Required
1) Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or related field requiring substantial coursework in math and economics
2) Demonstrated academic excellence
3) Proficiency in Stata, working with large, complex datasets
4) Thorough understanding of randomized control trials and econometric methods
5) Strong English oral and written communication skills
6) Excellent command of Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
7) Strong motivation, self-direction, and organizational skills
8) Enthusiasm for collaborating with a diverse team, including international colleagues
9) Willingness to travel internationally
Preferred
1) Master’s degree with graduate-level coursework in Economics and Econometrics
2) Proficiency in R, Python, and/or Julia
3) Experience with survey design and implementation using Qualtrics
4) Experience using GitHub
5) Experience with remote computing servers
6) Relevant research experience, including complex data processing and causal effects estimation
7) Familiarity with or interest in the academic literature on social protections, active labor market programs, financial inclusion, taxation, and related topics in development
How to Apply
Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. After completing a brief registration, choose the Research job category, then select " Research Fellow (Prof. Rema Hanna)” and include the following materials. Note that applications with incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please include the following application materials:
1) Cover letter (one page max)
2) CV
3) Coding sample(s) demonstrating data analysis skills in Stata (preferred), R, or Python. Please submit no more than one coding sample per language. Redact your name from anywhere it appears in the file (including versions of your name in referenced file paths).
4) Two letters of recommendation from academic (preferred) or professional references. You are able to submit your application before your references complete their recommendation letters; however, you must include their contact information before submitting your application.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will not be considered complete until all elements (excluding letters of recommendation) are received. Given the volume of applications received, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants chosen to move forward in the hiring process will be required to take a Stata exam, participate in multiple interviews, and provide additional materials as requested. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.