Software Engineer, Computational Policy Lab

Software Engineer, Computational Policy Lab

Professor Goel's Computational Policy Lab at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School is seeking a Software Engineer with specialized expertise in software development, generative AI, and data science. This position is housed within the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy and focuses on building high‑performance, production‑ready systems for large‑scale research projects in education technology and public policy.

School/Unit: Harvard Kennedy School
Department: Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy
Job Function: Information Technology
Location: Cambridge, MA (hybrid work possible)
Job Type: Full‑time
Salary Grade: 057
FLSA Status: Exempt
Union: Non‑Union, Exempt or Temporary
Term Appointment: Yes, fully benefits‑eligible, ending one year from hire with possible renewal

• Resume
• Cover Letter including:
  • A link to a piece of code on Git Hub that you wrote, preferably something that demonstrates your technical skills and you'd enjoy walking us through in an interview.
  • A short description of the project you linked to.
  • Confirmation that you are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for at least two years.

• Independently perform complex web application development for projects of large to very large size and complexity.
• Design and develop complex software systems for large‑scale research projects, focusing on education technology and generative AI‑based tools.
• Leverage recent breakthroughs in machine learning and natural language processing to build, test, and deploy advanced algorithmic tools that underpin rigorous empirical research.
• Lead and collaborate on technically challenging projects involving AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and large‑scale experimentation.
• Contribute to the design and execution of randomized controlled trials and other empirical methods used to evaluate the impact of AI‑driven interventions.
• Collaborate closely with researchers to translate theoretical models and experimental designs into high‑performance, production‑ready systems.
• Co‑author or contribute to academic publications and technical reports for peer‑reviewed journals, conferences, and lay audiences.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and research developments related to AI, computational social science, and causal inference.
• Abide by and follow Harvard University IT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct.

• AI in
  
  Education:
  
  Design, implement, and scale AI‑powered technologies tailored for student learning. Current flagship tool, Ping Pong, is evaluated through a large‑scale randomized experiment across universities and community colleges nationwide. Additional innovations include virtual lectures, personalized student diagnostics, and teacher co‑pilot tools.
• AI in Public Policy: Build robust, production‑quality systems that improve public service delivery and decision‑making. Examples include tools that assist county prosecutors in unbiased charging decisions, help public defender clients avoid jail time due to missed court dates, and support adjudicators processing unemployment insurance claims.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of post‑secondary education or relevant work experience.

Additional

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree and/or relevant work experience in computer science, data science, or a closely related field, with a strong emphasis on advanced software engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and empirical research methodologies.
• Experience working with generative AI pipelines.
• Experience deploying software in a cloud environment.
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service‑mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor.
• Experience with Python or Type Script and familiarity with Svelte or React preferred.

• Appointment End Date: Fully benefits‑eligible term appointment ending one year from hire, with possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this…