Opportunity Insights (OI) at Harvard University is recruiting several full-time Predoctoral Fellows for its Fall 2026 hiring round. Successful candidates will begin around July 1, 2027, and work with the OI research team under the direction of Professors Raj Chetty, John Friedman, and Nathan Hendren. The fellowship is designed for talented early-career researchers seeking advanced preparation for doctoral study, particularly in empirical economics and related social sciences. Fellows will gain intensive experience working with large-scale administrative data, statistical modelling, empirical research methods, and policy-oriented research. About Opportunity Insights Opportunity Insights is a nonpartisan research and policy institute focused on understanding and improving economic opportunity. Founded in 2018 at Harvard University, the institute has become internationally recognised for research on economic mobility, inequality, and the factors that influence individuals’ opportunities to succeed. OI’s research has examined national trends in upward mobility, racial disparities, neighbourhood effects, social capital, credit access, higher education, workforce training, and the effects of economic shocks. Much of its work applies quasi-experimental methods to identify causal relationships and test economic and sociological theories. Current research areas include the long-term effects of neighbourhoods and place-based policies, the contribution of colleges and workforce training to economic mobility, and the influence of social networks on economic outcomes. Fellowship Responsibilities Predoctoral Fellows will work as full-time members of OI’s research environment at Harvard or Brown University. Their responsibilities will provide substantial preparation for graduate-level research and other research-intensive careers. Typical activities include: Analysing large and complex datasets. Developing and implementing statistical models. Conducting empirical economic research. Creating research presentations and visual materials. Editing and contributing to academic research papers. Supporting ongoing research projects led by OI faculty and collaborators. Participating in research meetings, seminars, and academic events. Contributing to research translation and policy initiatives. Fellows may also have opportunities to co-author academic papers with students, faculty members, and other researchers. They will interact with a broad network of professors and collaborators in a team-oriented research laboratory. Research and Professional Development The fellowship provides exposure to major research and policy initiatives, including resources such as the Opportunity Atlas, Social Capital Atlas, and Economic Tracker. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in wider academic activities at Harvard and Brown Universities, including seminars and courses. This environment enables fellows to strengthen their quantitative research capabilities while developing a deeper understanding of empirical economics and related social sciences. The programme is particularly well suited to individuals considering doctoral study. Most previous fellows have subsequently progressed to leading Ph.D. programmes. Eligibility Requirements Applicants should meet the following requirements: Hold a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, or be on track to complete a bachelor’s degree by July 2027. Demonstrate strong quantitative skills. Have experience with empirical research methods. Demonstrate a strong interest in economics and some experience with the subject. Have research experience, which is strongly preferred. Ideally possess programming experience in Stata, SAS, R, and/or Python. An economics major is not required. Successful candidates have come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including undergraduate and graduate programmes, industry positions, and research assistant roles. Applicants with varying levels of coding and research experience are encouraged to apply, particularly those who believe they can contribute to OI’s research environment. Fellowship Duration and Compensation Fellowships are expected to begin around July 1, 2027. Fellows typically work full-time at Opportunity Insights for two years before progressing to graduate school in economics or another social science discipline, or pursuing related research careers. Salary and benefits are described as competitive with other leading predoctoral fellowships. Application Process Candidates must complete both required application stages to be considered: Submit a formal application through Harvard University’s job site. Complete the Opportunity Insights online application form and upload a resume, transcripts, and a writing sample. Completing only one of these applications is not sufficient. The application deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The selection process includes a first-round interview and a final-round interview and may also involve additional skills assessments. OI expects to communicate decisions from the Fall 2026 recruitment round before the end of November 2026. Applicants with competing offers who require expedited consideration, as well as candidates with general questions about the application process, may contact the recruitment team at hiring@opportunityinsights.org. Information Session Prospective applicants can attend a virtual information session on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. The session will provide additional information about the Predoctoral Fellowship programme and allow potential candidates to ask questions. Following the main webinar, participants can join informal breakout-room discussions with current predoctoral fellows beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. Important Application Restriction Applicants should note that they may apply only once during the 2026–2027 academic year. Individuals who apply during the Fall 2026 hiring session and are not selected cannot reapply until the 2027–2028 academic year, when the next relevant hiring rounds are expected to take place. Equal Opportunity and Inclusion Opportunity Insights and Harvard University are committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The fellowship welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, academic disciplines, and professional experiences. For candidates seeking a rigorous research environment before pursuing a Ph.D. or another research-intensive career, the Opportunity Insights Predoctoral Fellowship offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in empirical research while working alongside leading scholars in economic mobility and inequality. Key Details Programme: Opportunity Insights Predoctoral Fellowship Institution: Harvard University Research Locations: Harvard University or Brown University Start Date: Around July 1, 2027 Duration: Typically two years Application Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s or master’s degree, or bachelor’s degree expected by July 2027 Preferred Skills: Quantitative analysis, empirical research, and programming Relevant Programming: Stata, SAS, R, and/or Python Application Requirements: Harvard application plus OI online application, resume, transcripts, and writing sample Information Session: September 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET Selection: First-round and final-round interviews, with possible skills assessments VISIT THE OFFICIAL FLYER HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. 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