Research Associate

07-Feb-2024

Harvard Business School

64000BR

Position Description

The Digital, Data, and Design (D^3) Institute at Harvard is looking for a Research Associate (RA) to support research activities at The Crafting Your Life (LIFE) Lab. The RA will work with Harvard Business School Professor Leslie Perlow, and in collaboration with other D^3 staff.

The LIFE Lab uses technology and AI to help people reflect on and make both big and small changes in their lives that lead to measurable positive impact. Users report quitting jobs, reallocating time, and having a real wakeup call from using these tools. The goal of the LIFE Lab is to create ways that individuals can not only learn about themselves through their own reflections but through the life experiences of others. The Lab strives to collect data that continually improves the user experience and learning while amassing an ever-expanding database to better enable the study of how people can live their best lives.

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

Primary Duties:

• Work under the general direction of HBS faculty on topics central to HBS research agenda. Provide subject-area knowledge, analysis and interpretation to faculty member. Identify and explore a wide-range of questions related to statistical design and analysis.
• Collect, synthesize, and provide analysis of data. Utilization of data packages (one or many of the following: STATA, SPSS, MATLAB, SAS, R, Mathematica, Python, JAVA).Conduct qualitative data analysis of life history interviews, both for preliminary learnings as well as to inform and improve future iterations of these qualitative data collection efforts.
• Independently manage all timelines and deliverables. Exercise independent decision making with regard to progression of research project and methodologies.
• Must be able to structure assignments and keep faculty member informed as necessary, using own judgment.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations. Complete work with only general direction. 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) when collecting company data.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a focus in data science, computer science, economics, business, or quantitative social science field.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency with R, Stata, and/or Python required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

An advanced degree with at least 3 years relevant work experience, or bachelor’s degree with a least 5 years of relevant work experience are preferred. Candidates with significant advanced experience may be considered at a higher salary grade (56).

Excellent skills related to the Microsoft Office Suite are expected. Evidence of academic excellence. Proven evidence of independent research in specific advanced field of study. Evidence of prior high-quality, original academic writing, and background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data, research, news, and literature is helpful. Ability to read academic, subject-specific information and write a reasoned and thoughtful analysis, as well as produce a creative interpretation, is a must.

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.

Additional Information

This is a full-time term appointment starting now through June 30, 2024, with potential for re-appointment for the following year. All HBS RA roles are structured as one-year appointments.

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA based campus 2-4 days per week. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

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/.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website 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.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

RS0055 Researcher I Humanities

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Division of Research and Faculty Development

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2024

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.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-AF1