Open Positions

Position Description

The Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard University (LISH) is soliciting applications for one or more postdoctoral fellowships aimed towards quantitative and experimental social (economics, management, psychology and sociology). LISH is a Harvard-wide research program lead by faculty co-directors Karim Lakhani, Harvard Business School; Eva Guinan, Harvard Medical School; and David Parkes, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. LISH is an interdisciplinary research lab that is focused on developing a science of innovation through the application of quantitative and field experimental methods on innovation problems faced by our partners (NASA, Harvard Medical School, Broad Institute, Department of Defense Research Labs, Topcoder, and various corporations). Current research topics for the lab include incentives for innovation, governance and management of innovation systems, and creativity and problem solving.  Our work is primarily empirical; a typical project will involve: conceiving a suitable research question, designing a suitable field experiment, working with collaborating partners, analyzing historical data, analyzing experimental data and writing papers.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work under the supervision of LISH Directors and affiliated faculty, and will have the opportunity to collaborate with LISH staff, postdocs, and doctoral students. The Fellow will assist LISH faculty on researching digital operating models, cases of successful and unsuccessful implementation of digital transformation, and the sociological impacts of such transformations. They will help create a comprehensive picture of digital business and operating model implementation, develop metrics for evaluation of practices, and develop and administer a survey. The project also entails creating a conceptual “benchmark” platform and developing a detailed understanding of management best practices.

The position has no teaching or administrative duties.

LISH is looking for candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or new perspectives.

Qualifications

• A PhD in economics, management, psychology, sociology, computer science, and/or a related field is required. PLEASE NOTE: If you have obtained your Ph.D. in the past 12 months you must be able to provide a certificate of completion from the degree-granting institution OR a letter from the institute’s registrar stating all requirements for the degree have been successfully completed and should verify the date the degree has been conferred. No exceptions.
• Survey design and implementation
• Statistical analysis; strong quantitative skills with proficiency in a suitable numerical analysis environment, e.g., MATLAB, R, or, Stata
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills

Application Details

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please email the following to Alexandra Kesick, with subject “Digital Model Postdoctoral Fellowship”.

• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of academic records (unofficial records are acceptable)
• 2-page description of relevant experience
• Job market paper or one or two research papers
• Provide at least two letters of recommendation