The Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School is a vibrant intellectual community of faculty, Master’s and PhD students, researchers, fellows, and administrative staff whose mission is to address pressing public policy questions through academic research, teaching and policy outreach. The work of the Center covers the domains of health care, human services, criminal justice, labor markets, education and political and economic inequality. The Wiener Center addresses pressing questions in these areas by carrying out research on important public policy issues, educating the next generation of academics and policy scholars, and ensuring that research and education are closely tied to and draw from policy and practice.

The post-doctoral fellow will work closely with Professors Schneider and Weil on a project to develop new tools for state labor enforcement agencies to use to more strategically deploy limited investigative and compliance resources. The fellow will lead the integration and construction of multiple data sources, including survey data, agency administrative data, and other establishment, firm, and area-level datasets. They will also contribute to data analysis and the development of predictive models for state labor enforcement agencies to use to: (1) identify firms at high risk of violations and model patterns of non-compliance to inform strategic enforcement; and (2) identify investigations that generate deterrence effects and enforcement spillovers.

The post-doctoral fellow will oversee the day-to-day implementation of a field experiment working with state agency collaborators, supported by the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the PIs. Overall, the position will involve significant data construction, computational analysis, management of relationships with non-academic collaborators, and contributions to co-authored presentations and publications.

The post-doctoral fellow would work closely with the PIs as well as with other team members including graduate and undergraduate students, pre-doctoral fellows, and research staff, and state and local  agency partners and participate in regular team convenings and frequent meetings. The post-doctoral fellow would receive both hands-on training through the planned research work and also additional professional and research mentorship from Professors Schneider and Weil. The post-doctoral fellow would be encouraged to co-author with Schneider and Weil as well as maintain an ongoing portfolio of independent research.

• Applicants should have or expect to have a PhD by September 1, 2026.
• Experience designing and carrying out rigorous research using one or more of the following methods: field experiments, quasi-experimental analysis of existing administrative or survey data, computational methods
• Background in machine learning prediction models and programming experience with R or Python
• Substantive expertise in topics including labor standards violation, industrial relations, labor economics, and sociology of work
• Highly organized, professional, and motivated
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication

Send an email to shiftproject@hks.harvard.edu with the subject line “Strategic Enforcement Project Post-Doctoral Fellow Application” followed by your first and last name (e.g., “Strategic Enforcement Project Fellow Application – Jane Doe”).

Attach the following documents as a single PDF:

• CV
• Cover letter/Statement of interest
• 2 writing samples, at least one of which is sole authored (published papers, dissertation chapters, other manuscripts)
• Names of 3 academic/professional references. Letters will be requested for finalists.

• Wiener Center Fellows receive a competitive salary and are eligible for Harvard University’s partially subsidized healthcare options in which an individual can enroll and purchase medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. Other benefits include life insurance, long-term disability, and tuition assistance program (after eligibility of service at Harvard). Fellows are also able to take advantage of a broad array of activities including academic seminars, Forums, networking opportunities and special events.
• Professor Schneider and Professor Weil value having a diverse research team and encourage applications from individuals from women, people of color and from other groups which historically have been underrepresented in the field of economics, public policy, labor studies, or sociology.
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will not be considered complete until all elements are received. Applications must be received by February 13, 2026 to receive full consideration. Applicants selected to move forward in the recruitment process may be required to complete a technical exercise and participate in multiple interviews.