Research Associate

03-Oct-2024

Research Associate

Harvard Business School

67046BR

Position Description

Harvard Business School seeks a dedicated, enterprising, and collaborative Research Associate (RA) for the academic year 2024-2025 to work with a faculty member in the Strategy unit. A successful candidate will have a strong interest in field research and ethnographic methodologies. The research will also focus on strategy execution, organizational change, and best practices in shaping firm growth, in healthcare, financial services, media, and creative industries.

The RA will report directly to faculty supervisor 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, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to use discretionary judgment.

Primary Duties:
Under the general direction of the faculty, the RA will:

• Conduct field and ethnographic research.
• Conduct newspaper research, literature reviews, and library searches.
• Write draft cases and articles, case supplements, project reports, and policy memos creating original writing based on research and interviews. Provide analysis, editing, and drafts for academic journal articles, HBS cases and HBS teaching notes. Develop, synthesize and provide analysis of literature reviews.
• Independently manage all timelines and deliverables for multiple projects with competing priorities.
• 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.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Indication of independent research experience, project management, and/or related applied experience.
• Strong skills related to the Microsoft Office Suite are expected.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The successful candidate will have excellent writing, editing, research skills, be analytically-minded and possess strong conceptual skills; be at home in an academic environment; have strong people, project-management, and organizational skills. Evidence of outstanding academic achievement is expected.

Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to flexibly 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.

This position requires an individual capable of consistent use of discretion, judgment, and initiative. Diplomatic skills, comfort in interacting with prominent individuals, and grace under pressure are essential. It is helpful if the candidate is familiar with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School.

Additional Information

This is a half-time appointment based on a 40-hour work week, starting Fall 2024, through June 30, 2025. 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

Part-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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