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Pre Doctoral Research Fellow Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Post Doctoral Research Fellow

Boise, ID · On-site

$46K - $63K/yr

Post Doctoral Research Fellow Job no: 499392 Work type: Non-Classified/Professional Location: Boise, ID Categories: Temporary opportunities, College of Engineering Job Summary/Basic Function: Serves ...

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Pre Doctoral Research Fellow information

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$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do pre doctoral research fellow jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for pre doctoral research fellow in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Pre Doctoral Research Fellow vs Research Assistant?

AspectPre Doctoral Research FellowResearch Assistant
Required credentialsTypically pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, strong research backgroundUndergraduate or graduate student, basic research skills
Work environmentAcademic or research institutions, often independent projectsAssist senior researchers, support ongoing projects
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research labs, think tanksUniversities, research centers, labs

The main difference is that Pre Doctoral Research Fellows are usually graduate students engaged in independent research projects, while Research Assistants support research teams with more routine tasks. Pre Doctoral Fellows often have more responsibility and independence, preparing for doctoral studies, whereas Research Assistants typically focus on assisting with specific tasks under supervision.

What are Pre Doctoral Research Fellows?

Pre Doctoral Research Fellows are individuals who typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and work in research positions prior to enrolling in a doctoral program. They assist faculty or research teams with projects, data analysis, literature reviews, and sometimes co-author academic papers. These roles are often designed to provide hands-on research experience and prepare candidates for the rigors of a PhD or other doctoral studies. Pre Doctoral Research Fellowships are common in fields like economics, psychology, public health, and the social sciences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pre Doctoral Research Fellow, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pre Doctoral Research Fellow, you need a strong background in research methods, data analysis, and subject-matter expertise, usually supported by a relevant undergraduate or master's degree. Familiarity with statistical software (such as R, SPSS, or Stata), literature databases, and academic writing tools is typically required. Strong critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help fellows collaborate on complex projects and present findings clearly. These skills are crucial for producing rigorous research, contributing to academic publications, and preparing for advanced doctoral studies.

What are some common challenges faced by Pre Doctoral Research Fellows, and how can they be addressed?

Pre Doctoral Research Fellows often encounter challenges such as managing multiple research projects simultaneously, adapting to new methodologies, and balancing coursework with research responsibilities. Navigating complex data sets and learning advanced analytical tools can also be demanding. To address these challenges, fellows are encouraged to seek mentorship from senior researchers, actively participate in lab meetings, and maintain clear communication with their advisors. Developing strong time management and organizational skills can also significantly ease the workload and contribute to a successful research experience.
More about Pre Doctoral Research Fellow jobs
What cities are hiring for Pre Doctoral Research Fellow jobs? Cities with the most Pre Doctoral Research Fellow job openings:
What states have the most Pre Doctoral Research Fellow jobs? States with the most job openings for Pre Doctoral Research Fellow jobs include:
Infographic showing various Pre Doctoral Research Fellow job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow, Salata Institute Research Cluster on Strengthening Communities

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 614 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position
Details
Title
Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow, Salata Institute Research Cluster on Strengthening Communities
School
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department/Area
Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS)
Position Description
Position Announcement: Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow
The Salata Institute Research Cluster on Strengthening Communities, Harvard University
The Research Cluster on Strengthening Communities announces a ten-month research fellowship. The Cluster examines the social, political, and economic effects of changes in energy systems on local communities and workers, producing policy studies, research reports, and policy recommendations for communities and governments. The Research Cluster is part of the Roosevelt Project, a collaborative effort between Harvard University and MIT.
Research activities for the Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow include:
  • Organizing and conducting interviews of stakeholders.
  • Conducting background research.
  • Collecting, preparing, and analyzing survey data.
  • Conducting research using publicly available resources on the social, political, and economic context of various regions and industries.

Research products include policy white papers, studies, and articles.
The Cluster is a multidisciplinary effort consisting of faculty, research staff, and students from Sociology, Government, Design, and Law. Professor Stephen Ansolabehere, Frank G. Thompson Professor of Government, is the primary contact and supervisor for the project, but you will work as part of a research team. Professor Ansolabehere is also a faculty affiliate of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS), part of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This appointment will be administered by IQSSQualified researchers must have at least a bachelor's degree; the position is also open to applicants with a master's degree. Applicants must have demonstrated social science research skills, such as qualitative research skills (such as training and experience conducting interviews) or quantitative research skills (some statistical training and proficiency in statistical software, such as R or Stata), and preferably both.
To be considered for the position, applicants should submit the following:
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) listing educational, research, and employment experience.
  • A 250-word statement describing the applicant's interest in social, political, and economic aspects of climate, the environment, or energy systems.
  • The names and contact information for two external references related to the applicant's research background and skills.

Duration is for ten months, with a target start date of September 1, 2026. Compensation is the equivalent annual salary of $70,000 per year. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position.
If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.
IQSS sits in the Division of Social Science. At IQSS, respect and fairness, kindness and collegiality, and trust and transparency are among the values we espouse and promote in our workplace culture. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive, and positive environment where everyone does their best work in support of Harvard's mission.
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Must have demonstrated social science research skills, such as qualitative research skills (such as training and experience conducting interviews) or quantitative research skills (some statistical training and proficiency in statistical software, such as R or Stata), and preferably both.
  • Research experience may include positions at a firm, working as a research assistant for faculty, or writing a senior thesis.

Additional Qualifications
  • The position is also open to applicants with a master's degree.
  • Due to the importance of in-person mentoring with their Faculty Sponsor and having the opportunity to interact with colleagues and researchers within their department, it is expected that the Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow will work on campus.

Special Instructions
Applicants should provide the following:
  • A CV listing educational, research, and employment experience and upload it under the "Curriculum Vitae" document category.
  • A 250-word statement describing the applicant's interest in social, political, and economic aspects of climate, the environment, or energy systems and upload it under the "Statement of Research" document category.
  • The names and contact information for two external references related to the applicant's research background and skills. If reference letters are available at the time of submission, please upload them to the "Additional Letter" and "Other" document categories.

Contact Information
Michael O'Brien
Contact Email
mobrien@iq.harvard.edu
Salary Range
The ten-month appointment has an equivalent annual salary of $70,000.
Minimum Number of References Required
2
Maximum Number of References Allowed
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