Research Associate (General)

About the Role

Harvard Business School (HBS) is seeking multiple Research Associates (General) to support faculty members on projects spanning various business topics. These roles are for a term appointment starting Summer 2026 through June 30, 2027, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2028.

Key Responsibilities

• Work under the direction of HBS faculty on research agenda topics, providing subject-area knowledge, analysis, and interpretation.
• Identify and explore a wide range of research questions.
• Write original cases, case supplements, project reports, and policy memos from start to finish.
• Write articles for business audiences, such as Harvard Business Review.
• Develop, design, conduct, analyze, and implement research using data science knowledge.
• Perform statistical programming.
• Experience with NLP.
• Manage and manipulate data using STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations.
• Apply complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies to new projects.
• Structure assignments and keep faculty informed, using own judgment.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging with colleagues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ability to read academic, subject-specific information and write reasoned, thoughtful analyses.
• Produce creative interpretations of information.
• Proven evidence of independent research in a specific advanced field.
• Evidence of prior high-quality, original academic writing.
• Background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data, research, news, and literature is helpful.
• STATA
• Python
• R
• MATLAB
• NLP

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 3.5.
• Extremely high standards in terms of quality of work.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organization skills.
• Absolute commitment to task completion.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary.
• Familiarity with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School, is helpful.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: June 30, 2027. Faculty prefer candidates willing to commit for two years.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week.
• This is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week onsite at the Boston, MA campus.
• Candidate interviews may be virtual or in-person.
• A cover letter is required.
• All candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample, transcript, and potentially a code sample.
• Work location determined by department based on operational needs.
• Salary Grade Level: 055.
• Benefits include generous paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, support for families, professional development, and commuter benefits.