Description
About the Position
Professors Daniel Schneider (Harvard Kennedy School) and David Weil (Brandeis University / Harvard
Kennedy School) are recruiting one full-time postdoctoral research fellow with a PhD in sociology,
economics, public policy, industrial relations, or a related field for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. The post-doctoral fellow will contribute to a research project focused on strategic enforcement of labor standards
in the United States.
This position is based at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, MA. The appointment term is for one
year with the potential for a second-year renewal contingent on performance and funding.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place
a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in
order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The fellow will be
required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year.
About the Strategic Enforcement Lab
The Strategic Enforcement Lab, originated in 2026 with funding from the Harvard Impact Labs, aims to
use novel sources of data and methods to advance scientific knowledge by helping state and local labor
agencies solve applied problems with the goal of improving labor standards compliance, enforcement,
and ultimately worker wellbeing.
It is an initiative at the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. The MWC
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.
Responsibilities
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.
Mentorship
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.
Compensation and Benefits
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
Requirements
Qualifications
- 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
How to Apply
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
