The Digital, Data, and Design (D^3) Institute at Harvard is accepting applications for research associates to work on research activities at our newly formed research labs. D^3 launched in the summer of 2022 with 12 labs working on research at the intersection of academia and practice. For more information on D^3, please visit https://d3.harvard.edu.

The Research Associate will work under the direct supervision of faculty Principal Investigators and Lab Manager of each lab. D^3 is looking for candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or new perspectives. There are no teaching requirements for these open positions.

The Data Science & AI Operations (DSOps) Lab, incubating within the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard (LISH), led by HBS Professors Iavor Bojinov and Edward McFowland III, is seeking a Research Associate. The lab focuses on how companies develop data science capabilities throughout the entire pipeline, starting with the management questions, data collection and analysis phases, and final decision-making. Of particular interest are topics around building a data-first company, developing and deploying state-of-the-art causal inference and predictive algorithms, using experimentation platforms to drive organizational innovation, and other relevant research and managerial questions. The lab’s projects will be situated in research settings that are high-stakes and managerial in nature, where research questions and algorithmic developments focus on the intersection of joint human and algorithmic decision-making. Finally, we also explore how data science enables efficacy and scalability of new data-driven and algorithm-supported operating models, understanding if or when it is appropriate for algorithms to operate autonomously with (or without) human oversight.

Project Themes

• Algorithm-in-the-loop decision-making,
• The antecedents and consequences of human trust in algorithmic recommendations of managerial decisions,
• Detecting and overcome biases in algorithmic and human decision-making,
• Development of novel algorithms for causal inference,
• The design and deployment of an experimentation platform and its impact on innovation.

Primary Duties

• Coordinate research tasks with the lab’s academic partners and faculty internally at Harvard and at other research institutions as well as with companies;
• Collect research data and make deductions and conclusions to share with faculty and other researchers;
• Assist with building and evaluating data science algorithms through simulation, experimentation, and research articles;
• Write briefs and summaries of research projects for public circulation;
• Manage research information and data (including data cleaning);
• Conduct other background research and literature reviews;
• Support development of case studies, presentations, and convenings;
• Manage various reviews of research protocols including the Institutional Review Board (IRB), data use agreements (DUA), and data security application process with lab researchers;
• Other duties may be assigned.

• B.A. or B.S.; open to any field, but demonstrated experience with data science is required.

The successful candidate will have excellent research and writing skills, be analytically-minded and possess strong conceptual skills; be at home in an academic environment; work well independently. The ideal candidate will have strong people skills and evidence of outstanding academic achievement.

Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to flexibly 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.

Other desirable qualities include:

• Ability to handle multiple projects, stakeholders, and demands.
• Self-motivated with a desire to problem solve and learn new skills as needed.
• Strong team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience using statistical computer languages (R or Python).
• Experience with machine learning algorithms.
• Familiarity with causal inference techniques.
• Experience with experimental design.

This is a full-time term appointment this summer (start date flexible) through June 30, 2024, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2025. All Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments with potential for renewal based on funding and performance.

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA based campus 2-4 days per week. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website.

A cover letter and SAT scores are 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 more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment.

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website 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.

Research

USA - MA - Boston

RS0055 Researcher I Humanities

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Division of Research and Faculty Development

-

Full-time

055

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

30-Jun-2024

Education, Identity

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.

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.