Research Associate, Digital Content Coordinator

Position Description

The nature and scope of work is rapidly changing, creating massive business and political challenges. Managing the Future of Work (MFW) initiative was created to define these workplace issues and their implications for business leaders.

The primary goal of the Project is to pursue research that business and policy leaders can put into action as they navigate the complexity of the changing nature of work. For theory to go into practice, the Project invests in a comprehensive research dissemination approach to widen its impact. The more the research reaches the target audience of business leaders and policy leaders, the more the Project succeeds in sharing best practices and influence change. Under the general direction of Professors Joe Fuller and Bill Kerr, the RA will assist with the design, production, development, promotion and dissemination of various research products such as reports, podcast, website, and newsletter.

Primary Duties:

• Research reports: Every year, the Project publishes reports and white papers on diverse topics related to managing the future of work such as: closing the middle skills gap in America; degree inflation; managing the caregiving needs of employees; hidden workers and bringing the long-term employed into the workforce; what employers can do to improve the prospects of low-wage workers; building a good jobs organization. The candidate will help in the copy-editing process, fact-checking, and support the design and production of the report, working with external designers. The candidate will also be responsible for the successful launch of the reports, managing the following activities: building strong media relationships in top-tier publications, radio and TV to promote the research, developing a press release, developing a research dissemination strategy involving partner organizations; developing outreach partnerships with key players in the topic area.
• Op-eds and articles: From time to time, based on the research, media either proactively contact the faculty members to comment on articles or give quotes. Also, faculty members write thought pieces or are invited to contribute to top-tier publications. The candidate will help support such media interactions with background notes and facilitate the submission process with news and magazine organizations.
• Podcast: A key responsibility will be to coordinate and ensure the podcast promotion with guest organizations, and to focus on strategies for widening the reach of the podcast. In 2023, the podcast was downloaded more than 600,000 times and the right candidate will help in multiplying the reach by an order of magnitude.
• Newsletter: The Project distributes a bi-weekly newsletter to a list of subscribers. The newsletter contains the latest podcasts, a section called Spotlight that curates research on different topics each week, a listing of interesting new research from HBS and outside of HBS sources on topics related to managing the future of work. The candidate will assist the Editor in publishing the newsletter, contribute to spotlight development and most importantly, build the subscriber base of the newsletter.
• Website: The candidate will be responsible for maintaining, updating and refreshing the website, as well as looking for new and exciting ways to showcase the research. The Project, from time to time, develops video content and would like to develop more video and interactive content. The right candidate will help in doing that and ensuring the website does an effective job in showcasing the research and making the findings and recommendations accessible to visitors in a way that enhances the usage of the research.
• Social media: The Project requires a strong social media presence. The candidate will be responsible for crafting and executing a social media strategy that aligns with the Project’s research.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Marketing, Communications, or related field required.
• Professional social media platform experience desired.
• Strong writing skills required.
  
  

Additional Qualifications And Skills

One to two years of relevant experience in consulting and/or industry is preferred.

Strong skills related to the Microsoft Office Suite are expected, such as, ability to create pivot tables in Excel, as well as ease in generating sophisticated graphs in PowerPoint.

Statistical/programming experience and/or applied experience with Python, STATA, MATLAB, or R is preferred.

Evidence of prior high-quality, original academic writing, and background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data, research, news, and literature. All positions will be given a writing exam. Ability to read academic, subject-specific information and write a reasoned and thoughtful analysis, as well as produce a creative interpretation, is a must.

Proven ability to work independently and creatively. This position requires an individual capable of consistent use of discretion, judgment, and initiative. The candidate must have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion. The RA must be able to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary.

Diplomatic skills, comfort in interacting with prominent individuals, and grace under pressure are essential. It is helpful if the candidate is familiar with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School.

Additional Information

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.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. All candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample, transcripts, 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.

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.
  
  

Job Function

Research

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

RS0055 Researcher I Humanities

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Salary Grade

055

Department

Division of Research and Faculty Development

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2024

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

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.