Research Fellow Opportunity at Harvard Kennedy School – Development Economics, Labour and Political Economy (2027–2029)

Overview

Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for a 24-month Research Fellow position through its Center for International Development, working alongside Professor Eliana La Ferrara. The appointment is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is scheduled to begin between August 1 and September 1, 2027. The fellowship is designed to support academic research in development economics, labour economics, and political economy across developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

The position offers fellows the opportunity to engage in complex data analysis, contribute to academic publications, and receive faculty mentorship and professional guidance. Past cohorts have used this experience to progress to doctoral programs at institutions including Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the London School of Economics, and Brown University.

Who can apply

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline, supported by a strong academic record. Applicants are required to have excellent analytical and quantitative abilities, strong written and spoken English communication skills, and proficiency in Stata, LaTeX, and either Python or R.

Preferred qualifications include experience working with large-scale or unstructured datasets, previous research experience in development economics or political economy, and a demonstrated interest in pursuing a PhD in Economics.

What you get

The fellowship provides a competitive salary and employment benefits, along with access to Harvard University resources and research facilities. Fellows benefit from faculty mentorship, exposure to advanced economic research methods, and opportunities to participate in Harvard academic activities.

How to apply

Interested candidates must submit their application documents as a single combined PDF file via email. The submission must include academic transcripts, an updated CV or résumé, and a cover letter detailing the applicant's motivation, relevant academic and research experience, previous economics research and fieldwork experience, and availability to commence employment.

Key dates

The 24-month research opportunity is expected to commence between August 1 and September 1, 2027.