A full-time Pre-Doctoral Fellow position is available at Harvard University under the supervision of Augustin Bergeron. The appointment begins July 1, 2026, for an initial one-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Salary: $50,000 Application Deadline: Open until filled Visa: May be arranged Primary Fields: Development Economics, Political Economy, Public Economics, Economic History The Fellow will collaborate closely with Bergeron across all stages of research, particularly projects focused on taxation, state capacity, and governance in low-capacity settings. Role Overview The Pre-Doctoral Fellow will: Support implementation and analysis of field experiments Assemble and clean administrative and survey datasets Conduct statistical and causal inference analysis Produce research outputs (tables, figures, policy memos) Collaborate with academic co-authors and policy partners The position includes engagement with projects implemented in partnership with the Provincial Government of Kasaï-Central in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Collaborators on related research include faculty and researchers from: University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis London School of Economics NYU Stern School of Business World Bank University of Chicago University of British Columbia Research Projects The Fellow will contribute to multiple large-scale research initiatives, including: 1. Progressive Taxation and Fiscal Capacity Randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the provincial tax ministry Examines how progressive property tax schedules affect: Compliance Revenue generation Perceived fairness and legitimacy Contribution: Empirical analysis and research dissemination 2. Dispute Resolution and the Tax-Based Social Contract Large-scale randomized evaluation with: Provincial Ministry of Justice A Congolese NGO Provincial tax ministry Compares formal government mediation and customary chief-led mediation Evaluates impacts on: Property-rights security Institutional trust Social cohesion Tax compliance Contribution: Endline data cleaning and empirical analysis 3. Bargaining, Enforcement, and Equity in Property Tax Collection Field study of taxpayer–state bargaining Combines quasi-random enforcement variation with randomized negotiation formats Investigates whether bargaining strengthens or weakens equity and state capacity Includes pilot (2025) and scaled implementation (2026) Contribution: RCT logistics support and survey monitoring in Kananga 4. Tax Legitimacy and State Capacity (Historical Analysis) Analysis of 40,852 colonial taxation documents from Nigeria Uses spatial regression discontinuity design around the former Sokoto Caliphate boundary Links historical fiscal reforms to contemporary attitudes (e.g., Afrobarometer data) Contribution: Data construction, validation of text-based measures, empirical analysis Qualifications Strong candidates typically demonstrate: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (completed by start date) in: Economics Mathematics Statistics Computer Science Related quantitative fields Training in: Causal inference Experimental and quasi-experimental methods Technical skills: Strong programming in Stata and/or R Data management and reproducible coding Research competencies: Attention to detail Independent problem-solving Clear written communication Career interest: Intention to pursue a PhD in Economics or related discipline Willingness to spend time in the DRC to support field implementation is considered an advantage. Application Requirements Applications must be submitted through the Harvard portal and include: Cover Letter (1 page) Research interests Relevant experience Fit with position Curriculum Vitae GPA Class rank (if available) Transcripts Undergraduate and graduate (unofficial accepted) Letters of Recommendation (Optional) Professional Value This Pre-Doctoral Fellowship provides: Intensive exposure to frontier research in development economics Hands-on RCT implementation experience Policy-relevant research engagement Mentorship from leading scholars Preparation for top PhD programmes The position is well suited for candidates seeking rigorous training in applied microeconomics, political economy, and state capacity research. Key Details at a Glance Institution: Harvard University Supervisor: Augustin Bergeron Start Date: July 1, 2026 Duration: 1 year (renewable) Salary: $50,000 Deadline: Open until filled Interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization seeking for a research fellow. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.