2025-07-03
Harvard University
Other
/yr
employee
contract
Cambridge
Massachusetts
02138
United States
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 Graduate School of Education?
The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.
Job Summary:
Design, plan, and implement software and data services that support and enrich research productivity and reliability. Develop software and data services with researchers to ensure that modern standards of reproducible research are kept.
Position Description:
HGSE is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education. The Senior Data Scientist at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University leads statistical programming, collaborates with Principal Investigators to develop advanced models and analysis tools, develops data architecture and data processing pipelines, works with multiple stakeholders and develops visualizations to communicate key findings to non-technical audiences, and advises projects on state-of-the-art software and data solutions to support the research. CEPR partners with school districts, charter school networks, and state education agencies to bring high quality research methods and data analysis to bear on strategic management and policy decisions. We believe that (1) policy and management decisions directly influence the ability of schools and teachers to improve student achievement; and (2) valid and reliable data analysis significantly improves the quality of decision-making. We design our work around the theory of action that if we bring together the right people, the right data, and the right analysis, significantly better decision-making will occur, and student outcomes will be improved.
The Senior Data Scientist reports to CEPR’s Director of Research who will identify specific projects and tasks that would benefit from the Senior Data Scientist’s expertise.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Please Note: Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume showing that they meet the required basic qualifications. Any candidate invited to an initial round of interview will be asked to submit a sample program. Any candidate invited to a second round of interview will be asked to complete a case. This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.
Physical Requirements:
Working Conditions:
HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state’s required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
We regret that the Harvard Graduate School of Education does not provide Visa sponsorship.
Basic Qualifications:
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.
7+ years of relevant experience or post-secondary education.
3+ years’ experience in advanced statistical programming using Stata or R.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Master’s degree preferred.
5+ years experience in statistical programming preferred.
3+ years experience supporting social science research projects preferred.
Experience with Bayesian estimation, machine learning, natural language processing, cloud-based computing, and/or Artificial Intelligence strongly preferred.
Experience with managing and analyzing large datasets, scaling processes, developing data architectures, and developing R packages preferred.
Experience with version control software (such as Git), code reviews, and unit testing preferred.
Ability to translate technical topics for non-technical audiences and to develop analyses and visualizations that convey key findings clearly.
Demonstrated creative ability to solve challenges in novel ways using state-of-the-art statistical and data processing techniques.
Experience working with K-12 or postsecondary education data a plus.
Certificates and Licenses:
HGSE Human Resources values diversity in all forms and believes that each employee brings a set of diverse experiences and identities to the workplace that makes us stronger, encourages innovation, and enhances our collective contributions. We continue to develop and support a workforce that reflects the diversity of those we serve; fosters an environment that allows everyone to belong and to bring their best self to work; and creates the conditions that empower employees to contribute their full potential to advancing the work of the school.
We do this by:
About the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu
Work Format Details
This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit? Harvard's Salary Ranges? to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
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