View the complete and up-to-date SDP Fellow job posting here, including locations of projects/placements: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oNSCRHUzk1xgnoEBLkSEoqXMT9sRxxFw4H4BN-lNh2Q/edit?usp=sharing
Join a powerful, growing community of 625+ forward-thinking data advocates and leaders across more than 40 states and 290+ education organizations. TheStrategic Data Project (SDP) is an initiative of theCenter for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. The SDP Fellowship program helps school system leaders use data and evidence in strategic decision-making to improve public education. By placing fellows in school systems and education organizations across the United States, SDP provides a unique career pathway for passionate quantitative researchers and data strategists who want to make a difference.
The SDP Fellowship is a unique opportunity, combining full-time employment as a mid-to-senior level education data analyst/researcher at an SDP-approved partner organization (a school district, state education agency, postsecondary system, non-profit, etc.) and two-years of intensive in-person and virtual professional development, training, and mentorship to build your toolkit as an education data leader. As a fellow, you and your host agency will develop clear priorities and plans for using data and build organizational willingness to use data for decision-making. Over the course of two years, fellows participate in a series of tailored workshops, both virtual and in person, to develop their measurement, leadership, communication and education policy skills. Training is delivered by Harvard-affiliated researchers and practitioners and fellows are supported by faculty advisors, fellowship alumni mentors, and their colleagues across the SDP network.
Learn more about past fellows’ work by visiting the SDPblog. In the past, fellows have tackled strategic data projects in one of the following focus areas:
and more!
Fellows are paid an annual salary of $75,000-95,000 USD plus appropriate benefits by their placement organization. The average salary offer is around $88,000. The Fellowship lasts two years (Summer/Fall 2025 through Summer 2027) with the possibility for longer-term employment. Exact salaries, benefits, hybrid work arrangements, etc. differ and are determined by the host organization.
Locations
Fellowship placements are available in various locations across the United States and shift from year to year.SDP is currently selecting placement organizations. A sample of currently available locations/projects includes:
This list is subject to change. Candidates who successfully progress through the SDP Fellowship selection process will learn more details about available placements.
Qualifications
The Strategic Data Project seeks candidates who possess:
Candidates who are geographically flexible and willing to relocate will be given preference in the selection process. In addition, due to the inherent nature of the matching process, your willingness to relocate will increase your chances of matching with an SDP partner agency if admitted as a finalist to the candidate matching pool. Candidates are encouraged to be flexible and willing to relocate to the placement that is the best skill and interest match for them. Candidates with flexible relocation available will have the best chances of a successful placement match - about 85% of fellows relocate for placements.
SDP Placed Fellows become full-time employees of their placement organizations where they receive a salary between $75,00-95,000 and appropriate benefits. Placement organizations may have additional hiring requirements, including drug testing, criminal record and background checks, vaccination policies, residency requirements, etc.
Benefits of the SDP Fellowship
The Application Process
The Cohort 17 (Summer/Fall 2025 through Summer 2027) application will open on 9/30/24 at 8:00 AM ET.
Round I Application Deadline: Monday, November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET
Round II Application Deadline: Monday, March 3rd, 2025 - 9:00am ET
Round III Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
All dates and deadlines are subject to change.
Following each application deadline, we will invite successful candidates to move through the selection process. This process includes a technical analytic assignment, a virtual screening interview, and a virtual interview day. Candidates who are selected from the virtual interview day will interview remotely or on-site at an SDP partner organization. After receiving and accepting an offer from a placement, fellows are welcomed to the fellowship.
Please follow the link to complete the online application: https://sdp.smapply.io/prog/fellowapp_c17
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Lincoln, Nebraska
Fairfax, Virginia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Keller, Texas
Salem, Oregon
Jackson, Mississippi
Boston, Massachusetts
Data Analysis
Mid Level