Associate Director of Research, Computational Policy Lab

Harvard Kennedy School; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The Computational Policy Lab at the Shorenstein Center, Harvard Kennedy School, seeks an Associate Director of Research to shape a portfolio of computational and policy-focused research addressing education, public benefits, AI governance, and other public policy areas.

Working closely with Professor Goel, you will lead research strategy, funding, and operations, mentor lab staff, manage external partnerships, and translate complex findings into policy-relevant outputs for diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in research and program management.
• Master’s degree preferred in public policy, computer science, statistics, economics, or related field.
• Experience advising on research design, mixed methods, and contributing to academic or policy outputs.
• Experience with grant proposal development and funder relationship management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills; ability to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex, technical research into clear, engaging materials for varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across the lab’s research portfolio and ensure coherence across projects.
• Advise researchers on experimental design, mixed‑methods approaches, data collection, and analysis; safeguard rigor and feasibility.
• Co‑author academic manuscripts, policy briefs, and other outputs.
• Build and steward partnerships with government agencies, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Lead development of cases for support, translating priorities into fundable initiatives; manage portfolio finances and budgeting.
• Design and implement systems for research management, including data governance, IRB protocols, and responsible AI use.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Critical thinking

Team management

Research experience

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

R

Python

Stata

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting‑edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

Job Summary

Professor Sharad Goel’s Computational Policy Lab at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School is seeking an Associate Director of Research to help shape and advance a portfolio of computational and technological research addressing pressing issues in education, public benefits, AI governance, and other areas of public policy.

The Associate Director of Research works closely with Professor Goel to lead the lab’s research strategy, funding, and operations: identifying and incubating new multi‑stakeholder research initiatives, translating faculty priorities into fundable projects, and driving them from concept through implementation. Beyond portfolio leadership, the Associate Director contributes directly to the intellectual work of the lab — advising on study design and mixed‑methods approaches, safeguarding methodological rigor, and supporting the production of academic and policy‑relevant outputs.

The Associate Director of Research supervises lab staff, oversees research fellows, manages the lab’s external partnerships with government agencies and other collaborators, and represents the lab in relevant academic, research, and policy settings. This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and requires working on our campus 3 days/week.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Research Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership across the lab’s research portfolio, where computational approaches are used to advance public policy.
• Shape and align research initiatives with the lab’s institutional goals.
• Identify and incubate new multi‑stakeholder research and policy‑engagement opportunities, ensuring coherence across projects and delivery of rigorous, policy‑relevant outputs.

Research Design & Intellectual Contribution

• Advise researchers on experimental design, mixed‑methods approaches (including RCT design), data collection, and analysis; help ensure rigor and feasibility across the portfolio.
• Contribute to and co‑author academic manuscripts, policy briefs, and other publications.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to Professor Goel and lab members on the intellectual direction of the lab’s research.

External Collaborations & Representation

• Build and steward the lab’s partnerships with government agencies, funders, and other research and policy stakeholders.
• Represent the lab at relevant meetings, conferences, and convenings; author or co‑author materials for external and internal stakeholders.
• Lead strategy for research dissemination and policy engagement, translating findings for varied audiences.

Funding & Initiative Development

• Secure new funding opportunities aligned with the lab’s mission; develop proposal narratives, budgets, and other grant materials, and coordinate with funders to meet reporting requirements and milestones.
• Lead the development of cases for support, translating faculty priorities into fundable, high‑impact initiatives.
• Manage portfolio finances in collaboration with relevant Harvard finance offices, including budget revisions and periodic financial analysis to inform fundraising and staffing strategy.

Research Operations, Compliance & People Management

• Design and implement systems for research management — including secure data governance, ethical use of human subjects (IRB), responsible use of AI, and coding/documentation protocols — and help ensure compliance across the portfolio.
• Manage submission, amendment, and renewal of IRB protocols and data use/data safety agreements; serve as liaison to relevant administrative offices.
• Recruit, onboard, supervise, and mentor lab staff and research fellows; train student researchers on best practices and lab protocols.
• Coordinate IT resources, research computing, and staffing (including summer interns) needed to support the lab’s work.
• Oversee the lab’s operational and administrative needs—including compliance, vendor contracts, space, IT resources, research computing, and staffing—in coordination with the Shorenstein Center’s administrative team and relevant Harvard offices.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in research and program management, or a related field; Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree preferred, in public policy, computer science, statistics, economics, or a related field.
• Experience with empirical or mixed‑methods research is strongly preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated experience advising on research design, mixed methods, and/or contributing to academic or policy research outputs.
• Demonstrated experience with financial management, grant proposal development, and funder relationship management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills; ability to build trust with a wide range of academic and non‑academic stakeholders, including government partners.
• Ability to translate complex, technical research into clear, engaging materials for varied audiences.
• Effective leadership and supervisory skills, with experience managing research staff and fellows.
• Familiarity with statistical/computational tools (e.g., R, Python, Stata) and mixed‑methods research design.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial research environment.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefits‑eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• On‑site Requirement: This position is based on campus in Cambridge, MA, and required to work on campus 3 days/week.

About The Center

The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy is a Harvard University research center dedicated to exploring and illuminating the intersection of media, technology, politics and public policy in theory and practice. Through teaching and research at the Kennedy School of Government and its program of visiting fellows, conferences and initiatives, the Center is at the forefront of its area of inquiry.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non‑Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• 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.

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

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.