The Local Politics Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School, along with faculty director Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, seeks applications for a postdoctoral researcher starting in July 2027. The postdoctoral fellowship is anticipated to last two years but formally is a one-year appointment with the possibility of extension for a second year.

The postdoctoral researcher will work on projects related to cities and other local governments in the Local Politics Lab at the Bloomberg Center for Cities with faculty director Justin de Benedictis-Kessner. The candidate will work on designated projects and give direction on research ideas, hone research questions, design and implement robust research analytic plans, analyze data, interpret results, manage graduate and undergraduate research assistants, and review and/or assist in writing academic research papers and public-facing research briefs. Projects will include work on elections using and updating the American local elections database, as well as launching and analyzing surveys related to local politics and elections for the American Local Elections Study. The Postdoctoral Researcher will report to the Local Politics Lab faculty director and contribute to multiple ongoing research projects on local politics and policy, develop new projects in collaboration with the faculty director, and engage in their own independent research projects.

Position Responsibilities

• Scope new research projects, conceptualize research design, and manage research project activities
• Conduct statistical and econometric analysis using R on administrative data sets and/or other incoming data, including cleaning data, conducting analysis, and presenting and visualizing the results in various formats (tables/graphs, etc.).
• Manage various AI-assisted data collection pipelines.
• Support and coordinate the design and implementation of online surveys.
• Support research administration, including data use agreements, data safety requirements and IRB protocols.
• Provide oversight of junior RAs (undergraduate and graduate students).
• Support the code review process of other team members.

Position Details

• Appointment term: A 12-month term, renewable for a second year contingent on performance and approval.
• Location: Postdoctoral researchers will be provided with an on-campus workspace and are expected to be in person on campus in Cambridge, MA, at least three days per week during the academic semesters.
• Salary and benefits: $81,000/year, with benefits.
• Research support: Postdoctoral researchers will have access to libraries and other university resources, as well as research funds of $3,000 for technology, conference travel, data purchases, or other approved research-related expenses.

Basic Qualifications
Postdoctoral applicants must possess a Ph.D. degree at the time of the start of the fellowship and relevant academic research experience in US local politics. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience supporting the design and implementation of online surveys.
• Experience collecting data via web-scraping.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative data analysis, including presenting data in various visual formats.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders including faculty, staff, city partners, and other researchers.
• Skill in overseeing multiple diverse academic and research-related activities simultaneously, delivering on commitments, and operating with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment.
• Demonstrated experience with project management and meeting project timelines across multiple projects and communicating with internal and external stakeholders in a productive, professional, and timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills, including exceptional writing skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Eagerness and ability to learn new skills quickly on the job.
• Experience working in the public sector, in local politics, or on public sector challenges.

Application

Please submit (1) a CV; (2) a cover letter describing qualifications, a succinct description of research interests, and fit with the Local Politics Lab; (3) at least one writing sample; and (4) contact information for at least two faculty references who can be contacted by the Lab’s faculty director if needed. Materials can be submitted here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/7f4ceazgb7uoqr9b5oqf

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled but should be submitted no later than November 22, 2026.