Associate Data Scientist

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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Associate Data Scientist will work closely with Opportunity Insights’ Founding Director, Executive Director, faculty, and senior researchers and staff to transform large administrative and program datasets into reproducible analyses, statistical models, and decision-support tools. The position helps translate complex research findings into accessible metrics, visualizations, and reports for internal leadership and external partners, including policymakers and practitioners. This position will report to Raj Chetty, Opportunity Insights’s Founding Director.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Analyze large, complex administrative and program datasets in support of specific research projects, and contribute to the design, development, and enhancement of OI’s broader data infrastructure.
• Construct robust statistical models to produce statistics, such as those in the Opportunity Atlas, from confidential microdata, ensuring the application of appropriate privacy protection principles and compliance with data governance standards.
• Apply advanced statistical and econometric techniques for causal inference, including matching estimators and quasi-experimental designs, to rigorously evaluate program impacts and economic mobility outcomes.
• Build, calibrate, and validate models for financial forecasting, social impacts, and other economic and social benefits, including demand estimation and policy impact analysis, to inform data-driven decision-making.
• Integrate analytical findings into well-structured dashboards, reports, and visualizations for internal decision-makers and external partners, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and alignment with stakeholder needs.
• Document methodologies, data transformations, and analytical workflows in a clear and reproducible manner, supporting transparency, knowledge transfer, and long-term maintainability of OI’s analytical assets.

Working Conditions:

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. The work is mainly performed in an office setting. Flexible work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.  

Physical Requirements:

Applicants must be able to perform typical office tasks, including sitting for extended periods, using standard office equipment, and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Economics, Econometrics or a related field.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience with data analysis, economics research, or econometrics
• Proficiency in Python and languages such as Stata or R for data analysis
• Experience with creation and analysis of large datasets
• Familiarity with modern AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code)
• Experience and interest in working in collaborative settings with other team members

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: Two years from date of hire (with the possibility of renewal)
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

• Two-year term position with possibility of renewal.
• Finalists may be asked to provide transcripts and/or complete a skills assessment.
• A cover letter is hig