Kendall Fellow, Science of Fair Representation

Position Overview

Kendall Fellow, Science of Fair Representation

TERM: MAX 2-Years

Center for Science & Democracy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position:
Yes

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet.
• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
• Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

The Kendall Fellow for the Science of Fair Representation will work with UCS staff from the Center for Science and Democracy (CSD) to develop and undertake a two-year research portfolio leading a body of work to advance state and local policy and advocacy efforts around proportional representation (PR) to achieve a multiracial multiparty democracy. The fellow will design an original study proposal in collaboration with CSD leadership to drive PR campaign goals and support the community‑driven work of a strong network of our partners.

The fellow’s work will build on CSD’s existing efforts on election administration and PR, and it will directly support communities that use CSD’s research and strategic support to advance PR.

• Build evidence for PR:
  Develop a suite of comparative models based on computational social choice methods, including simulations using local data, that help local communities understand how election outcomes, representation, and policy priorities would differ under PR, offering evidence of the benefits for community representation through the selection of specific PR systems.
• Support the adoption of PR in local jurisdictions:
  Develop evidence-based, audience‑targeted policy outputs, working in partnership with our Election Science Task Force, and national and community coalitions to support local and state efforts to advance PR.
• Ensure equitable implementation of PR systems:
  When jurisdictions move to PR, provide research-supported resources for election administrators and partners implementing systems that are accessible, understandable, and transparent for voters. This includes advancing equitable ballot designs and related guidance to ensure larger voter slates are clear.
• Improve confidence in election results under PR:
  Strengthen research and publish guidance for election results communication and public education in PR systems, particularly vote tabulation. This work applies and expands our Election Science Recommendations (ESRs) to support public trust in new electoral systems.
• Serve as a spokesperson and technical expert representing UCS in public forums and with media, policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders.

• Ph.D. in a relevant field must be awarded before September 1, 2026.
• The candidate should have a significant amount of coursework in the social sciences (political science, public policy, sociology, etc.) and expertise in the science of elections.
• Candidates should have strong quantitative research skills (e.g., Vote Kit/elections modeling techniques, machine learning, etc.), be able to identify key policy‑relevant questions, and write and speak equally clearly for technical, policy, and non‑technical audiences.
• Experienc…