About the job
Join Professor Goel’s Computational Policy Lab at the Shorenstein Center, Harvard Kennedy School, where we are on the cutting edge of software development, generative AI, and data science. As a Software Engineer, you will contribute to a dynamic environment focused on media, politics, and public policy through innovative teaching and impactful research initiatives.
Application Requirements
- To ensure a complete application, please include:
- Your resume
- A cover letter that includes:
- A link to your GitHub code demonstrating your technical skills, ideally a project you would enjoy discussing in an interview
- A concise description of the linked project
- Confirmation of your legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship for a minimum of two years
Duties and Responsibilities
As a Software Engineer, your core responsibilities will include:
- Executing complex applications and web development tasks for large-scale projects.
- Designing and developing advanced software systems tailored for extensive research initiatives, focusing on educational technology and generative AI tools.
- Utilizing the latest advancements in machine learning and natural language processing to create, test, and deploy sophisticated algorithmic tools that support rigorous empirical research.
- Leading collaborative projects involving AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and large-scale experimentation.
- Assisting in the design and execution of randomized controlled trials and empirical methods to assess the effectiveness of AI-driven interventions.
- Working collaboratively with researchers to translate theoretical models into high-performance, production-ready systems.
- Co-authoring academic publications and technical reports for peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
- Staying updated on emerging technologies and research developments in AI, computational social science, and causal inference.
- Adhering to Harvard University’s IT standards, policies, and Code of Conduct.
You will engage in projects such as:
- AI in Education: Designing and testing innovative AI technologies that provide personalized learning experiences for students, exemplified by our flagship tool, PingPong, currently undergoing evaluation in a large-scale randomized experiment across universities.

