Research Assistant

Job Description

The mission of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School is to support current and future public sector leaders in improving the governance of states, counties, and cities. The Center, along with its affiliates—Government Performance Lab, Harvard Impact Labs, and the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston—generates solutions to pressing state and local government challenges through teaching, academic research, hands‑on projects, and convenings that bring together policy makers and thought leaders with faculty, staff, fellows, and students.

The Research Assistant will work directly with Professor Liebman on a variety of projects related to social policy, economic policy, and government performance. Specific topics may include early education, alternative 911 response, homelessness, social security reform, health care, budget policy, and government innovation. The ideal candidate will have strong programming and quantitative skills, and a long‑term interest in pursuing research in economics or public policy.

• Analyze, manage, clean, and create datasets
• Conduct statistical analyses using languages such as Stata, R, and Python
• Review literature and summarize findings
• Maintain documentation of datasets and analyses
• Help prepare manuscripts for publication and slides for conference presentations
• Help prepare teaching materials

This is an in‑person position. The Research Assistant needs to be available to work on campus five days a week. Some weeks, 1–2 days of remote work may be possible. Specific days and schedule will be determined with their supervisor.

• College background in economics and statistics
• Strong programming skills evidenced by experience with statistical and programming languages such as Stata, R, and/or Python

• Outstanding achievement in coursework involving advanced quantitative analysis and economic concepts
• Ability to learn new statistical programming languages quickly
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently, including on multiple projects at the same time
• Prior research experience from undergraduate thesis research, previous positions, internships, or practicums and/or college coursework is a plus
• Understanding of causal inference methods—randomized controlled trials, difference‑in‑differences, regression discontinuity, and related approaches is a plus

• Appointment End Date: One year from date of hire with possibility of renewal
• Standard Hours/
  
  Schedule:
  
  35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information: This position requires working five days per week on‑site at our campus in Cambridge, MA, and is not eligible for remote work. One to two days of remote work may be possible some weeks.

This position is salary grade level 053. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.