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:

• Develops advanced models and performs complex statistical programming to support the research.
• Advises research projects on state-of-the-art technical solutions to analytic and data challenges. 
• Translates complex analyses for policy and practitioner audiences and develop visualizations that help people understand key findings and new insights. 
• Mentors research analysts on statistical programming and informally supervise the analyst on any tasks that the Senior Data Scientist assigns to them.
• Serves as a resource to the team for computer programming and statistics. Occasionally, group training on specific tools or models.  
• Builds internal code design and development guides for future contributors,
• Conducts quality assurance to ensure the reproducibility of analyses, documentation of methods and algorithms, and use of appropriate statistical tests.
• Collaborates with Principal Investigators and Project Directors to develop research plans and statistical analyses.
• Contributes to papers and reports.

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:

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

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:

• Standard Hours/Schedule:35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening:Education,Identity
• Other Information:

  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:

  • Hiring and retaining staff reflecting the diversity of those we serve
  • Providing employees opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged
  • Reviewing and ensuring fairness and equity in HR practices and policies including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and compensation
  • Developing strong relationships and partnerships internal and external to our community to advance diversity and inclusion
  • Communicating transparently and respectfully; and
  • Fostering an inclusive, respectful, and professional work environment

  
  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: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

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. 

About Harvard University

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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