Predoctoral Research Associate in Finance (Summer 2027), Division of Research and Faculty Development

Harvard University • Boston, MA

14h • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard Business School is hiring multiple Predoctoral Research Associates to support Finance faculty research, starting in summer 2027. Associates typically work with two faculty members, and some may work with up to three. Faculty and associates are matched based on mutual research interests; Professors Adi Sunderam and Mark Egan will serve as cohort mentors. Research may address financial markets, asset pricing, empirical corporate finance, banking and financial institutions, household and corporate finance, financial technology, macro-finance, and the use of financial concepts, data, and frameworks in business and economics.

The multi-faculty model gives associates the opportunity to contribute to a portfolio of academic research projects rather than working exclusively with one faculty member. Associates will experience the research process, engage with multiple projects and teams, and receive mentorship in preparation for future study, particularly a PhD in finance or economics. The role reports directly to the primary faculty mentors and participating Finance faculty, with administrative support from Research Staff Services. Candidates should be comfortable working independently, exercising intellectual curiosity and discretionary judgment, and adapting flexibly to differing projects and working styles.

Responsibilities include supporting research from question development and literature review through data collection, empirical analysis, interpretation, and preparation of findings. Associates use data science skills and statistical packages for programming and analysis, potentially including natural language processing or other computational methods. They manage financial and economic data using packages such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB, and document code, data, workflows, and outputs to support reproducibility. They also prepare research memos, literature reviews, tables, figures, presentations, case materials, and other research products; comply with applicable policies and regulations; and collaborate with colleagues through on-site engagement.

This is a hybrid position based at Harvard Business School’s Boston campus. Staff are expected to be onsite at least three days per week, with onsite coverage provided Monday through Friday. The department determines specific hours and days according to business needs, and the schedule and location may be adjusted with advance notice. The position is a term appointment beginning in summer 2027 and ending June 30, 2028, with reappointment dependent on funding and performance. Faculty strongly prefer candidates willing to commit for two years, although all HBS predoctoral research associate roles are structured as one-year term appointments. The position is 40 hours per week. Harvard does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and GPA above 3.5.
• Ability to read academic and subject-specific material and produce reasoned, thoughtful analysis and creative interpretation.
• Proven evidence of independent research in a specific advanced field of study.
• Extremely high standards for work quality, attention to detail, and organization, with strong commitment to completing tasks.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines and, when necessary, at an accelerated pace.
• Submit a cover letter, writing sample, transcript, and code sample for review by an HBS statistician.
• Meet Harvard work-location requirements for the hybrid role; when working away from a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees must work in a Harvard-registered state.

Nice To Haves

• Prior high-quality, original academic writing and a background in analyzing and interpreting relevant data, research, news, and literature.
• Familiarity with navigating a complex organization such as Harvard Business School.
• Interest in pursuing a PhD in finance or economics.
• Willingness to commit for two years.

Responsibilities

• Support academic research projects under the general direction of participating Finance faculty.
• Contribute to multiple faculty members and projects, adapting to different research questions, methods, timelines, and working styles while maintaining organized, high-quality workflows.
• Participate in the full research process, including developing research questions, reviewing academic literature, collecting and assembling data, designing empirical analyses, interpreting results, and preparing findings for faculty review.
• Develop, design, conduct, analyze, and implement research using data science knowledge and statistical packages; perform statistical programming and, where relevant, use natural language processing or other computational methods.
• Manage and manipulate financial and economic data using packages such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Document data sources, code, workflows, and outputs so analyses are reproducible and shareable across projects.
• Prepare research memos, literature reviews, tables, figures, presentations, case materials, and other written or analytical products communicating research progress and findings.
• Use faculty mentorship and feedback to develop finance knowledge, research skills, judgment, and professional habits for future academic study.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations and remain aware of applicable policies.
• Build trust and collaboration through on-site presence and direct engagement with colleagues and other constituents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with University contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level