Research Associate

18-Jul-2024

Research Associate

Harvard Business School

66407BR

Position Description

Harvard Business School (HBS) seeks a full-time Research Associate (RA) to support research initiatives across the academic units. Under the general direction of the faculty, the RA will develop, design and conduct research projects. The position will expose candidates to applied quantitative and qualitative research and to executives, analysts, and investors in the field. The role reports directly to three faculty members working on research related to climate change or customer engagement at Harvard Business School. The RAs will report directly to the faculty and administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. Ideal candidates will be comfortable in an environment that requires a high level of independence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to use discretionary judgment.

This position will offer first-hand exposure to a leading scholar and practitioner, the opportunity to participate in the development, testing, and dissemination of new theory and related curriculum, and involvement with the senior leaders in business.  The position is ideal preparation for future project management, strategic consulting, or working in an economic policy.

The nature and scope of work is rapidly changing, creating massive business and political challenges. Managing the Future of Work (MFW) initiative was created to define these workplace issues and their implications for business leaders.

Under the general direction of Professors Joe Fuller and Bill Kerr, the Research Associate (RA) will assist with the identification, exploration, and translation of topics central to the Managing the Future of Work agenda.

The RA position reports directly to faculty supervisors, Program Director, and administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in an environment that requires a high level of independence and intellectual curiosity and the ability to use discretionary judgment.

Potential Outcome: This position will offer first-hand exposure to a leading scholar and practitioner, the opportunity to participate in the development, testing, and dissemination of new theory and related curriculum, and involvement with the senior leaders in business.  The position is ideal preparation for future project management, strategic consulting, or working in an economic policy.

• Develop, design, conduct, analyze, and implement research using data science knowledge and prior knowledge of requested statistical packages. Perform statistical programming.
• Partner with HBS faculty member on topics central to HBS research agenda. Provide advanced subject-area expertise, analysis, and interpretation to faculty member. Act with a high degree of autonomy. Serve as a collaborator and thought-partner.
• Exercise independent decision making with regard to progression of research project and methodologies. When confronted with unexpected research data, be able to make deductions, add insight, and draw conclusions to share with faculty. Develop new techniques and instruments. Use knowledge of advanced subject area to analyze and interpret experimental results. Work independently with sophisticated research methodologies. Identify gaps in research and methods and recommend course of action. Produce original and innovative academic materials to supplement faculty research and teaching. Identify research directions, make recommendations to, and create original written material for faculty based on independent research.
• Ensure compliance with department, University and federal regulations. Be aware of department, School, University policies and potential outside research policies. Represent HBS to outside entities: interacting with prominent individuals (grace under pressure is essential).
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• A master’s degree with at least 3 years relevant work experience, or bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant work experience are required.
• Statistical/programming experience and/or applied experience with Python, STATA, MATLAB, or R is required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The candidate must have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion. Must be able to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary. It is helpful if the candidate is familiar with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School. Candidates with fewer years of experience may be considered at a lower salary grade (55).

Additional Information

This is a full-time term appointment starting this summer through June 30, 2025, with potential for re-appointment for the following year. All HBS RA roles are structured as one-year appointments.

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. All candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample, transcript, and a code sample.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore HBS work culture at https://www.hbs.edu/employment/.

About Us

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School (www.hbs.edu) is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. The School offers two full-time MBA and PhD programs, more than 175 Executive Education programs, and certificates and courses through Harvard Business School Online. For more than a century, Harvard Business School faculty have drawn on their research, connection to practice, global expertise, and passion for teaching to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Research

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

RS0056 Researcher II Humanities

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

056

Department

Division of Research and Faculty Development

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2025

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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