Faculty Appointments

Harvard Kennedy School seeks a scholar of the highest distinction to appoint as a professor of public policy, focusing on American politics, elections, and policy. We particularly welcome applications from scholars whose research focuses on those American principles, institutions, and norms that support a free and fair society. Specializations may include individual liberties, federalism, government regulations and efficiency, electoral campaigns, social and religious movements, and the relationship between government and the rights of private citizens. Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in public or policy engagement and applying their perspectives to the practice of public policy. Requirements include a doctorate in political science and a strong capacity to integrate methods and insights across disciplinary boundaries.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and CV to Professor Arthur Applbaum, Search Committee Chair, through the Professor of Public Policy (American Politics) application page.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University invites applications for a full-time, tenured or tenure-track position in Asian politics, with a focus on the domestic or international politics of China or other East Asian countries. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in political science or an allied field, a strong commitment to tackling important questions with rigorous social scientific methods, deep regional expertise, excellent teaching skills, and a serious interest in translating their research into usable insights for the public, policymakers, and practitioners. This open-rank search welcomes candidates eligible for appointment at the tenured and untenured levels.

Applicants for an untenured/junior position should submit a cover letter, a C.V., a research statement, a description of past or planned teaching (along with teaching evaluations, if available), one or two representative research papers, and three letters of recommendation.

Applicants for a tenured/senior position should submit a cover letter, a C.V., recent teaching evaluations, and one or two representative research papers.

Applications should be submitted through the Comparative Politics (China/East Asia) application page.

Full consideration will be given to applications received before September 10, 2026.

The Pierre Keller Visiting Professorship provides an opportunity for a scholar with a well-established record of work and academic achievement in the fields of European Union public policy, NATO, and transatlantic relations to teach and conduct research in residence at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). The Visiting Professorship can take place either in the fall of 2027 (September to December) or in the spring of 2028 (January to June), in consultation with HKS.

The recipient is expected to teach one course open to Kennedy School and Faculty of Arts and Sciences students during the fall of 2027 or spring of 2028 term on a transatlantic or EU-related subject to be negotiated with HKS.

The professorship provides a stipend of 60,000 USD and covers travel expenses of up to 2,000 USD.

Applications should be sent no later than November 1, 2026, through the Pierre Keller Visiting Professorship application page.

The Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for an open-rank position in public management, with a focus on cities and local government. We seek exceptional scholars with expertise in the design and delivery of public services, including their consequences for residents; the public sector workforce, including issues of recruitment, retention, and performance management; and how new technologies can be leveraged to transform governance and improve public services. We welcome candidates who study local government in general, as well as those with expertise in particular domains of policy implementation or service delivery, such as public safety, housing, education, transportation, and others.

The search is open to candidates who study these issues in an American or global context and from a wide array of disciplines, including, but not limited to, public administration and management, political science, public policy, sociology, urban planning, and related social science disciplines. This open-rank search welcomes candidates eligible for appointment at the tenured and untenured levels. Qualifications include a Ph.D. (received or expected by June 2027), strong evidence of commitment to research, strong teaching skills, and a demonstrated interest in public policy issues.

Applicants for an untenured/junior position should submit a cover letter, a C.V., a research statement, a description of past or planned teaching (along with teaching evaluations, if available), one or two representative research papers, and three letters of recommendation.

Applicants for a tenured/senior position should submit a cover letter, a C.V., recent teaching evaluations, and one or two representative research papers.

Materials should be submitted through the Public Management & Service Delivery (open rank) application page.

Full consideration will be given to applications received before Nov. 1, 2026.

Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for a senior tenured faculty member in technology and public policy. We specifically seek applications from scholars who are developing and/or applying new technologies to solve public problems. We are particularly interested in computer scientists or quantitative social scientists who harness tools of AI, data science, computer science, or system science to improve the performance of public and social sector institutions in critical policy areas.

Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in public or policy engagement and applying their perspectives to the practice of public policy. Applicants are required to have a doctorate or equivalent credential in a relevant field and a strong capacity to integrate methods and insights across disciplinary boundaries. Applicants should submit a cover letter (approximately two pages) describing their current research and teaching interests and their fit for the position; a curriculum vitae; two relevant publications, preprints, or working papers; and recent teaching evaluations.

Materials should be submitted through the Senior Technology and Public Policy application page.

Full consideration will be given to applications received before September 15, 2026.

The Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for a junior economist who studies urgent issues affecting cities and regions in the US and other contexts. Areas of research include housing, transportation, and infrastructure, or other topics that touch on issues of spatial importance in urban environments. Qualifications include a Ph.D. (received or expected by June 2027), strong evidence of a commitment to research, strong teaching skills, and a demonstrated interest in public policy issues.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a C.V., a research statement, a description of past or planned teaching (along with teaching evaluations, if available), one or two representative research papers, and three letters of recommendation.

Materials should be submitted through the Urban Economics (junior) application page.

Full consideration will be given to applications received before Nov. 1, 2026.