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Predoctoral Research Associate
Harvard University Business School
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Predoctoral Research Associate

Harvard University Business School

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Details
Posted:
March 13, 2025
Location:
USA - MA - Boston

Position Description

Harvard Business School seeks full-time Predoctoral Research Associates to support faculty members across our Strategy, Finance, Entrepreneurial Management, Technology & Operations Management, Negotiations, Organizations & Markets, Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Accounting & Management, Labor Economics, or Emerging Markets units starting in July of 2025.

Faculty currently hiring include but are not limited to Professors Livia Alfonsi, Bill Kerr, Jonas Heese, Joseph Pacelli, Leslie John, Sebastian Hillenbrand, and Julie Battilana. We ask that you indicate the specific faculty of interest in your cover letter.

Predoctoral Research Associates will assist with the daily operations of academic projects in a variety of fields, such as competition, management, and innovation. Research often draws heavily on applied econometrics and microeconomic theory. These positions are ideal for candidates with an interest and plans for doctoral studies in business, economics, finance, psychology, organizational behavior, or other fields after working as a Predoctoral Research Associate for two years. The Predoctoral Research Associates 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.

Primary Duties:
  • Develop and maintain expertise in new research methodologies and techniques.
  • For quantitative roles, Predocs will manage and manipulate data using requested packages, such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB.
  • For behavioral roles, Predocs will manage and manipulate data using qualitative research tools, such as Qualtrics and MTurk. They will also manage IRB submissions.
  • Collect, clean, synthesize, and analyze data. Produce statistical models. Provide analysis of data exhibits for academic journal articles. Provide statistical analysis and design for reports and presentations.
  • Develop, synthesize and provide analysis of literature reviews. May also provide analysis, editing, and drafts for academic journal articles, HBS cases and HBS teaching notes.
  • Balance project requests from multiple faculty members, using strong communication and prioritization skills. Must be able to structure assignments and keep faculty member informed as necessary, using own judgment.
  • Independently manage all timelines and deliverables. Exercise independent decision making with regard to progression of research project and methodologies.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor?s degree in economics, mathematics, quantitative sciences, or business-related field required.
  • Statistical/programming experience and/or applied experience with Python, STATA, R, or MATLAB. Behavioral predoctoral roles require familiarity with qualitative coding and research methods, including tools like Qualtrics and MTurk.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

  • Evidence of outstanding academic achievement. Indication of independent research experience and/or applied experience.
  • Methodological interests in econometrics, statistics, machine learning, industrial organization, productivity, and economic theory are preferred.
  • Must be able to take complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies and apply them to new projects and situations.
  • Ability to use own judgement, structure assignments, and keep faculty members informed are a must.
  • 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.
  • Candidates with more years of experience may be considered at a higher salary grade (56).

Additional Information

These are term appointments starting July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2027, based on funding and performance. All Predoctoral Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, but faculty strongly prefer candidates willing to commit for two years.

The recruiting process is rolling. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, now through spring 2025. Candidates with external deadlines should notify the recruiter as soon as possible.

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 a minimum of 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/.

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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


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.

Internal Number: 68109BR
About Harvard University Business School
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
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