Fellow, Economic Analysis and Data Management
The Growth Lab is seeking a highly motivated Fellow to contribute to our research on urban economics, innovation, and human capital formation, focusing on analyzing large-scale data on individuals, firms, and occupations.
The Growth Lab is an academic research program housed at Harvard Kennedy School. The lab hosts a dynamic, multicultural, and cross-disciplinary group of individuals who bring together their talents and skills to develop frontier research to understand the challenges and obstacles to economic growth. As part of its mission, the Growth Lab actively engages in applying its research in policy engagements.
Position Overview
The Growth Lab Fellow, Economic Analysis & Data Management, is a challenging role that offers a unique opportunity to work on new research and its application to real-world development problems related to economic growth. Under the guidance of Professor Ricardo Hausmann, Director of Academic Research at the Growth Lab, and in collaboration with affiliated professors and senior researchers, the Fellow will contribute to the lab’s core research agenda, focusing particularly on urban economics, innovation, and human capital formation.
The Fellow will apply and develop skills related to data science, sustainability science, network science, input-output modeling, and machine learning (as it relates to problems in economic analysis).
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the technical execution of research by cleaning and managing large datasets and conducting statistical analyses using R, Stata, and Python.
- Draft project reports, research protocols, and other project documents.
- Support the application of research findings to policy development.
- Draft and contribute to research publications, policy memos, journal publications, and policy briefs.
- Interact with the policy fellows and provide data needed for the policy projects.
Minimum qualifications
- Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Urban Economics, Innovation, International Development, Data Science, Sustainability Science, or related graduate studies.
- Strong academic record and interest in economic growth research, particularly in urban economics, innovation, and human capital formation.
- Familiarity with economic complexity methodologies.
- Ability to handle large-scale datasets.
- Coding skills in R, Python, and Stata.
- Command of the Microsoft Office suite.
- Flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently both individually and as a member of teams.
- Fluency and excellent communication skills in English.
Preferred qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of directly related experience.
- Graduate-level coursework in any of econometrics, data science, network science, sustainability engineering and/or machine learning.
- Research experience.
- Excellent command of R and/or Python.
- Knowledge of databases such as Dun & Bradstreet, Revelio, Lightcast, Compustat, Patstat, and Orbis.
- Knowledge of theory around economic growth, economic complexity, and structural diversification.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until January 15th, 2026.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, transcripts for all degrees, and a brief writing sample. Two reference letters are also required and should be sent separately by the writers to growthlab@hks.harvard.edu.
The Growth Lab is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.