Careers & Fellowships
Join us in working toward more equal, inclusive, multiracial, and multiethnic democracy.
The Ash Center is a global and values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.
Fellowship Opportunities
Allen Lab Fellowships
Research Fellowship: This fellowship is intended for emerging scholars, predoctoral students/ postdoctoral researchers within 5 years of degree conferred. Fellows will be in-person in Cambridge to work on a self-directed research project
Policy Fellowship: This fellowship is intended for faculty, mid-career practitioners, and policymakers with expertise and demonstrated interest in the research, development, and implementation of policy coinciding with the Lab’s research themes. Fellows will work on their own self-directed project. May be remote and part-time with expectation of several visits to campus per semester.
Project on Indigenous Governance and Development Fellowships
Visiting Research Fellowships: These fellowships are intended for scholars at multiple career stages whose research supports the sovereignty, self-determination, and self-governance priorities of Native nations. Fellows pursue collaborative research and teaching on topics such as access to resources, economic barriers to advancement, tribal codes and regulations, intergovernmental relations, and the institutions that sustain economic, social, and cultural foundations.
Reimagining Democracy Program Fellowships
Democracy Visiting Fellowship: The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation invites faculty, doctoral, and postdoctoral students to apply to its Democracy Visiting Fellowship Program and further their research on substantive democratic governance issues.
Staff Opportunities
Director of Financial Management and Planning
Position Description:
The Director of Financial Management and Planning oversees the financial administration of the Ash Center and all its affiliated programs and initiatives, whose activities are supported by a large portfolio of current use gift funds, federal and non-federal sponsored awards, and endowment funds. Candidates must demonstrate high-level experience in financial strategy and administration, exceptional judgment, and willingness to approach problems with creativity and collegiality. The Ash Center is a global community committed to rigor, curiosity, and integrity that believes diverse perspectives and lived experiences are essential to understanding real-world problems. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.
Reporting to the Ash Center Executive Director, the Director of Financial Management and Planning is a key member of the Ash Center leadership team. They work closely with the Center Faculty Director as well as key faculty and senior program staff to ensure the long-term financial health and growth of the Ash Center as it becomes the University hub for faculty, scholars, and students committed to strengthening democracy and self-determination.
The Director supervises the Center’s financial team to provide guidance and oversight of all financial functions—including financial analysis and reporting, financial operations, and research administration. Specific responsibilities include:
- Provide strategic financial guidance to the Faculty Director and Executive Director to ensure resource allocation enables Center goals and objectives.
- Develop and maintain a 5-year financial plan for the Center’s three foundational endowment funds.
- Oversee the work of the Center’s finance team including the Assistant Director of Finance and Research Administration, Financial Associate, Financial and Administrative Associate, and part-time Financial Assistant. Work closely with the Assistant Director of Finance and Research Administration to oversee proper administration of sponsored grants and contracts.
- Lead annual budgeting process for all funds in conjunction with Center Executive Director.
- Direct financial operations including updating the Center’s chart of accounts, record keeping systems, training opportunities, and appropriate practices and control mechanisms to ensure sound fiscal management and proper stewardship of funds.
- Provide regular financial reporting to PIs, senior managers, and Center leadership.
- Develop deep working understanding of the financial plans for multiple programs; work with faculty PIs and senior managers to proactively address deviations from approved budgets.
- Analyze complex financial data—Including variance and trend analyses—and develop financial analysis and projections.
- Develop and strengthen key relationships with internal administrative offices and departments across HKS and the University to promote collaboration and efficiency.
- Work with the Executive Director and HKS’ Office of Human Resources to implement and enforce personnel policies and procedures specifically related to hiring (domestic, international, temporary staff; contractors).
- Work with the finance team to ensure appropriate implementation of HKS financial policies across all faculty, programs, and initiatives at the Center.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
- Supervisory experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Senior financial management experience, and an understanding of higher education systems, governance, and decision-making
- Experience providing strategic financial guidance and forecasting to senior leadership within a large, decentralized organization, preferably in higher education or another mission-driven environment
- Record in developing and leading inclusive, high-performing teams—from hiring and onboarding to coaching and performance management—that bring out the best in all members
- Experience managing gift, endowment, and/or sponsored-fund portfolios, including compliance with donor restrictions and multi-year financial planning
- Strong customer service orientation with excellent communication and people skills, delivering on commitments and operating with speed, accuracy, and judgment
Please click here to apply and learn more.
Student Opportunities
Research Assistant, Information and the Workplace
Position Description:
The Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center Program on Democracy and the Informed Public seeks a research assistant (RA) to help develop a research case on using disclosure and transparency to improve conditions in the workplace. The first case for research will be pay disclosure policies adopted in many states. The RA will work closely with professors Archon Fung and David Weil, and a small team of other RAs and researchers investigating the dynamics of Americans’ access to information about risks in everyday life, rights guaranteed by law, essential services, and civic responsibilities. The position will include a mix of independent work and in-person meetings.
Tasks and Deliverables:
The RA will conduct research for a research case on workplace transparency. Tasks include:
- Desk research, which includes identifying news articles, academic literature (published and
working papers), and information regarding data sources pertaining to related workplace risk,
rights, and programs. - Identifying and cataloging academic and (non-academic) literature in Zotero (training provided).
- Identifying and setting up interviews with researchers, practitioners, and others in coordination
with other members of the research team. - Writing (briefs and research summaries, draft sections of case studies, and project updates).
- Working collaboratively with the research team more broadly on topics related to information
and transparency. - Additional responsibilities as assigned.
Desired Qualifications, Skills & Experience:
- Experience in undertaking academic research and writing including demonstrated ability to write without AI assistance.
- Self-direction and initiative.
- Experience conducting desk research using the internet and AI tools (with guidance provided).
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to work collaboratively with others
on team-based assignments. - Interest in issues of work, labor, employment and the labor market, and some background in
economics, statistics, and/or quantitative methods. - Comfort with understanding quantitative research by others (e.g. interpreting statistical results).
- Ability to undertake quantitative analysis and statistical software a plus, but not required.
Duration:
- Academic Year 2026-2027
Anticipated Time Commitment:
- 10-15 hours/week. Flexibility around academic schedules (e.g. midterms/finals).
Please submit resume and cover letter to: lwainaina@hks.harvard.edu.