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Research Associate

Harvard University Business School

Details

Posted:

March 13, 2025

Location:

USA - MA - Boston

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Position Description

Harvard Business School is seeking Research Associates (RA) 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.

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

Primary duties include:

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.
Support faculty in course design and development. Analyze and implement research using advanced knowledge and learning.
Write cases, case supplements, project reports, and policy memos from start to finish creating original writing based on subject-area expertise, research, and interviews, and write articles for applicable business audiences such as Harvard Business Review.
Provide quantitative and qualitative analysis, writing, and editing of academic journal articles, HBS cases, and HBS teaching notes. Propose, develop, synthesize, and provide analysis of literature reviews.
Create content for multimedia projects to be used as teaching and case supplements. 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. 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.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

PhD, MBA, JD, etc. degree preferred.

Candidates with fewer years of experience may be considered at a lower salary grade (55).

This position requires an individual capable of consistent use of discretion, judgment, and initiative. Evidence of prior high-quality, original academic writing, and background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data, research, news, and literature. Ability to read academic, subject-specific information and write a reasoned and thoughtful analysis, as well as produce a creative interpretation, is a must.

Additional Information

This is a part-time term appointment starting July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. All Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, with the potential for reappointment based on funding and performance.

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 and transcript.

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: 68110BR

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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Research Associate

Harvard University Business School

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