Application Guide
How to Apply for Kendall Fellow, Science of Fair Representation
at Union of Concerned Scientists
🏢 About Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is a unique nonprofit that combines rigorous scientific research with strategic advocacy to tackle pressing environmental and social challenges. Working here means applying your expertise to real-world policy change, with a strong commitment to equity and justice. UCS is known for its collaborative culture and impact-driven approach, making it an ideal place for scientists who want to make a difference.
About This Role
As a Kendall Fellow, you will lead cutting-edge research on proportional representation (PR) using computational social choice models and local election data. Your work will directly support grassroots coalitions and election administrators, helping to build a more representative democracy. This role offers the chance to shape policy from the ground up, with findings published for both technical and public audiences.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve analyzing local election data using VoteKit to simulate PR outcomes, then drafting a policy brief for a partner coalition. You'd likely attend a virtual meeting with election administrators to discuss implementation challenges, followed by writing a rapid-response blog post explaining your research to the public. The day would end with reviewing feedback from colleagues and planning next steps for a joint research-policy project.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Union of Concerned Scientists Is Looking For
- A political scientist or computational social scientist with a Ph.D. and proven experience in elections modeling, vote tabulation simulations, or machine learning (e.g., using VoteKit or similar tools).
- Someone who can translate complex quantitative findings into clear, actionable policy recommendations for diverse stakeholders, including community organizers and election officials.
- A collaborative researcher who thrives in partnership-driven projects, with a track record of working with coalitions or advocacy groups to advance evidence-based reforms.
- A strong communicator capable of rapid-response writing and public education, with a passion for making election systems more equitable and trustworthy.
📝 Tips for Applying to Union of Concerned Scientists
Tailor your cover letter to highlight specific experience with proportional representation systems or computational modeling of elections—mention any work with VoteKit or similar tools.
Emphasize your ability to bridge research and practice by providing examples of how you've translated technical findings into policy briefs or community-facing materials.
Show your commitment to equity by discussing past projects that addressed underrepresentation or voter access, and how your research could inform fairer election systems.
Include a writing sample that demonstrates clear, jargon-free communication on a technical topic—ideally related to elections, representation, or data-driven policy.
If you have experience with rapid response communications or community organizing, make sure to highlight it in your resume and cover letter, as it's a preferred qualification.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for using computational social science to advance fair representation and democratic reform, specifically through proportional representation.', 'Evidence of your quantitative skills (e.g., modeling, simulations) and how they apply to analyzing local election data and predicting outcomes under PR.', 'Your experience collaborating with non-academic partners (coalitions, election administrators) to produce policy-relevant research.', 'Your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, with examples of past outreach or public education efforts.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review UCS's recent reports on voting rights and election reform, especially any publications on proportional representation or ranked-choice voting.
- → Familiarize yourself with the UCS Science Hub and how they translate research into policy campaigns—this role will likely involve similar outputs.
- → Look into current PR adoption efforts in cities like Portland, OR, or Cambridge, MA, and understand the local data sources available.
- → Explore the work of UCS's Center for Science and Democracy to understand their approach to equitable and evidence-based policy.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application—failing to mention proportional representation or computational modeling suggests you haven't read the job description carefully.
- Avoid overemphasizing pure academic research without connecting it to real-world policy impact; UCS values actionable science.
- Don't neglect the equity aspect—this role is explicitly about fair representation, so ignoring equity or justice in your application would be a major oversight.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Union of Concerned Scientists!