Research Associate (General)

Harvard University • Boston, MA

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard Business School (HBS) is seeking multiple Research Associates (General) starting in Summer 2026 to support assigned faculty members leading projects across a variety of business topics. These topics include the Harvard Business School AI Institute, Julie Battilana's Research on Social Innovation & Change, and the Managing the Future of Work and US Competitiveness Project. The AI Institute focuses on how artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovation redesign business, science, and society. The Social Innovation & Change Initiative supports social innovators, with Professor Julie Battilana's research focusing on power and purpose. The Project on Managing the Future of Work researches forces redefining work in the US, and the US Competitiveness Project aims to improve the competitiveness of the United States by examining the roles of business leaders. The posting may be updated with additional hiring faculty names. Candidates are asked to indicate faculty they are interested in supporting in their cover letter. The Research Associate position reports directly to faculty supervisors and an administrative manager. Ideal candidates will be comfortable in an environment requiring a high level of independence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to use discretionary judgment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 3.5 is required.
• Proven evidence of independent research in specific advanced field of study.
• Evidence of prior high-quality, original academic writing.
• Background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data, research, news, and literature is helpful.
• Ability to read academic, subject-specific information and write a reasoned and thoughtful analysis, as well as produce a creative interpretation, is a must.
• Extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary.
• Experience with NLP.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School.

Responsibilities

• Work under the general direction of HBS faculty on topics central to HBS research agenda.
• Provide subject-area knowledge, analysis and interpretation to faculty member.
• Identify and explore a wide range of questions related to faculty’s research agenda.
• 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.
• Develop, design, conduct, analyze, and implement research using data science knowledge and prior knowledge of requested statistical packages.
• Perform statistical programming.
• Manage and manipulate data using requested packages, such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations.
• Complete work with only general direction.
• Be aware of department, School, University policies and potential outside research policies.
• Apply complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies to new projects and situations.
• Structure assignments and keep faculty member informed as necessary, using own judgment.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health 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