A call for postdoctoral fellows!

The Digital, Data, and Design Institute at Harvard will soon start accepting applications for multiple postdoctoral fellowships in quantitative social science. Candidates with a background in applied work with observational data establishing causal relationships, or experimental design in the lab or field settings would be well-suited.

Fellows will focus on one of six areas:

1. Business Model Transformation: Strategy, design, and innovation of new value creation and value capture dynamics
2. Operating Model Transformation: Enabling organizational scale, scope, and learning through digital and AI-first business processes
3. Organizational and Workforce Transformation: Changing organizational architecture, driving cultural change and supporting workers through digital transformation
4. Performance and Metrics: Accounting, finance, and governance of digitally-scaled organizations
5. Algorithms, AI, and Ethics: New algorithms and applications in data science, with a particular emphasis of AI ethics including privacy, transparency, fairness, and explainability
6. Societal Impact: Ensuring that the benefits of this new era are available to large swathes of citizens, and mitigating the ill effects of technology and scaled organizations on society

A typical empirical project involves refining a research question, designing an experiment or survey, analyzing historical and experimental data, and writing targeted at peer reviewed social science journals. Candidates should have some familiarity with:

• Causal analysis and experimental design: difference-in-differences and fixed effects models, instrumental variables, power analysis, analysis of attrition and non-compliance, analysis of heterogenous effects and interference
• Programming and scripting knowledge suitable for processing raw data for analysis (e.g., text manipulation with python);
• One or more computational environments for statistical analysis (e.g., MATLAB, R, or Stata).
• Machine learning and survey design

D^3 is looking for candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or new perspectives. There are no teaching requirements for these open positions.

Basic qualifications

• A Ph.D. in economics, management, psychology, sociology, or a related field. PLEASE NOTE: If you have obtained your Ph.D. in the past 12 months you must be able to provide a certificate of completion from the degree-granting institution OR a letter from the institute’s registrar stating all requirements for the degree have been successfully completed and should verify the date the degree has been conferred. No exceptions.

Additional qualifications

• Strong team player with excellent communication skills required.

Application details

Specifics coming soon! Applications should include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of academic records (unofficial records are acceptable)
• 2-page description of relevant experience
• Two research papers
• Contact details of at least two references

Candidates may be asked to undergo an assessment as part of the interview process. 

Appointment details

This is a one-year term appointment through Harvard University with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding. Relocation funding not provided.

Harvard is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or other protected status.