Strategic Data Project Fellow

For more detailed description: https://sdp.cepr.harvard.edu/data-fellowship 

The SDP Data Fellowship is a two-year program that develops PK12 and Higher Education data leaders to strengthen the capacity of the field to use data for improvement.

We find and train fellows to advance strategic initiatives, uncover valuable insights, and build a strong data culture in partner organizations.

Fellows and their supervisors participate in multiple, hands-on workshops and online learning modules and events to assess their organization's data use, develop analytic plans, and share key insights about evidence-driven change. Key workshops include: 

• Foundations of Data Strategy
• Strategic Analytic Planning
• Data Work is People Work
• Embedding and Sustaining Change

Fellows also partake in remote learning between workshops and over the summer after their first year in the Fellowship to develop technical skills and deepen their understanding of key education policy topics.

1. Application: SDP conducts a nationwide search for excellent quantitative researchers and data analysts with a passion for education and applied experience. Candidates will apply through an online application process. To be eligible, a candidate applying to become a Placed Fellow must have:

• a strong background in applied quantitative analysis (beyond descriptive analysis), familiarity with working with large datasets within education, and ability to work with limited oversight
• a demonstrated passion for improving outcomes for all students, familiarity with US domestic education policy and current issues
• a track record of collaboration, humility, and ability to guide change
• a proven ability to communicate complex information and analytic findings to various audiences in verbal, written, and visual formats
• evidence of an emerging leadership skillset and a commitment to continuous learning
• an advanced degree (Master’s degree or higher) completed (graduated) by August 2026 (certificates are not eligible)
• at least four years of relevant full-time work experience by August 2026 (waived for those with a PhD)
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. on a full-time basis without restriction for the entire duration of the fellowship (September 2026 – August 2028). Please note that SDP and our partner agencies cannot sponsor visas, now or in the future, and are unable to take over sponsorship of an existing visa. Additionally, most SDP fellowship roles do not meet the criteria for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT) for international students on F-1 or J-1 visas

Candidates who are geographically flexible and willing to relocate will be given preference in the selection process. In addition, due to the inherent nature of the matching process, your willingness to relocate will increase your chances of matching with an SDP partner agency if admitted as a finalist to the candidate matching pool.

SDP Placed Fellows become full-time employees of their placement organizations where they receive an annual salary between $75,000-$95,000 and appropriate benefits. Placement organizations may have additional hiring requirements, including drug testing, criminal record and background checks, vaccination policies, residency requirements, etc. 

Please see the FAQ section below for more information about the eligibility criteria.

2. Data Task: Candidates whose applications demonstrate promise are invited to respond to a thought-provoking analytic problem.

3. Virtual Interviews: Candidates whose data task submissions demonstrate promise and whose geographic interest align with placements becoming available will participate in two virtual interviews, which includes a discussion of their data task, with a Harvard researcher or SDP Fellow alum, and an SDP team member, as well as a behavioral interview. Reference checks occur at this stage.

4. Matching Conversation: Successful candidates are invited to have a conversation to prepare them for placement interviews.

5. Agency Interview: Finalists that are admitted to the candidate matching pool are matched to SDP partner agencies for interviews based on skillset and interest. Once hired by an SDP partner, fellows become a full-time employee of their placement organization and join their SDP Fellowship cohort for the two-year program. SDP partner organizations and their locations change year by year. Many fellows remain at their placement organizations after completing the fellowship.