Research Associate

05-Sep-2024

Research Associate

Harvard Business School

66790BR

Position Description

Harvard Business School seeks a full-time Research Associate (RA) for the academic year 2024-2025 to work with HBS faculty Olivia Kim in the Entrepreneurial Management unit. The RA will assist with the daily operations of projects related to how firms and households make financial decisions using detailed microeconomic administrative data and natural experiment-based empirical strategies. Current projects include examining how family dynamics affect firm investment; the effect of improving credit access for secondary earners affect consumption decisions of US couples. This position is ideal for candidates who have plans to pursue doctoral studies in economics, finance, or related fields in two years.

The RA will report directly to the faculty and administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. The RA will receive mentoring from the faculty and have a great chance to improve their programming and analytical skills. They will gain and apply topic-specific knowledge in areas such as consumer/household finance, small business, and financial markets. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in economics or another quantitative social science; experience in statistics, data science and/or computer programming; have an entrepreneurial and proactive mindset and be a strong communicator.

Primary Duties: 

• Build and manage large datasets using big data programming languages (e.g., Python, Scala, SQL).
• Provide statistical and visual analytics for academic presentations, journal articles, and policy reports.
• Edit, and draft content for reports to policymakers, academic papers, grant proposals, research protocols, and other research materials.
• Coordinate with a variety of research team members at data partner organizations as well as academic collaborators.
• Communicate analytical insights and be directly involved in the research process.
• Develop and maintain expertise in new research methodologies and techniques.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with preference for degrees in economics, mathematics, quantitative sciences. Substantial coursework in math and economics is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical languages or applied experience with Python, STATA, MATLAB, or R is required, along with strong programming aptitude and willingness to learn.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Strong English written and verbal communication skills are valuable. Ideal candidates are self-directed, intrinsically motivated, and able to work independently and solve problems. Enthusiasm for collaborating with a diverse team, including data partners is essential.

Experience with big data computing on AWS or on a Hadoop platform; advanced technical programming (e.g., Python, Scala, SQL) skills; and experience working with technical collaboration tools (e.g., Git, Jira) are highly desirable.

Evidence of outstanding academic achievement. Indication of independent research experience and/or applied experience. Strong sense of intellectual curiosity. Methodological interests in econometrics, statistics, machine learning, and economic theory are preferred.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, organization, research, analytical, writing, and editing skills are required. Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to adapt to changes in priorities; ability to work calmly under deadline pressure, work both independently and as a team member, take initiative; and follow projects through to completion.

Additional Information

These are term appointments starting Fall 2024, through June 30, 2025, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2026, based on funding and performance. All Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, but faculty prefer candidates willing to commit for two years.

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 to be reviewed by an HBS statistician.

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 is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 250 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and PhD degrees, as well as more than 175 Executive Education programs, and Harvard Business School Online, the School’s digital learning platform. For more than a century, faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their 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 go on to 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

RS0055 Researcher I Humanities

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

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

Salary Grade

055

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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