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

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business. Harvard Business School (HBS) is seeking multiple Predoctoral Research Associates starting in Summer 2027 to support an assigned faculty member in one of the following academic units. Business, Government and the International Economy Technology and Operations Management Research subjects can include but are not limited to: labor economics, marketing economics, private equity / venture capital disclosures and taxation, decision making and gender stereotypes in shaping beliefs, industrial organization and the market design of digital platforms, media economics and economics of digital platforms, emerging financial technologies and alternative data, political economy and empirical corporate finance, R&D strategy and the economics of innovation, entrepreneurial management, corporate social responsibilities focused on climate change and gender diversity, asset pricing shaping politics and markets, specialized knowledge commercialization and micro-geographic environments shaping innovation, behavioral economics, intergroup inequity, and tech strategy. Please note the faculty currently hiring include: Professor Kluender researches analyzes the determinants of financial well-being and the nature of financial distress, traces the frontier of how entrepreneurship and technology can solve social problems, and identifies market failures and the implications for appropriate corrective policies. Current projects involve partnerships with large-scale financial technology companies and employ a wide range of empirical approaches. His predoc researcher will get hands-on experience with every stage of the research project from conception through publication and will develop a wide range of empirical skills to prepare them for PhD programs. Professor Kluender's three prior predocs are currently pursuing PhDs at Princeton, Berkeley, and Harvard. Conduct empirical and theoretical research in organizational economics, focusing on how markets and workplaces shape competition, productivity, and economic opportunity. Professor Cullen is a labor economist whose research examines how information, technology, and firm behavior shape the well-being of workers and society. Her current projects study how artificial intelligence is reshaping the value of human expertise and the distribution of wages across workers and firms, as well as contemporaneous forces determining worker bargaining power. These projects involve large-scale field experiments and partnerships with technology and payroll companies, drawing on administrative data and a wide range of empirical methods. Her predoc researcher will get hands-on experience with every stage of the research process, from designing experiments through analysis and publication, and will build the empirical and institutional skills needed for a top PhD program. Professor Cullen's prior predocs are currently pursuing PhDs at MIT, Princeton, Chicago, and Yale. Overview:

The Predoctoral Research Associate position reports directly to faculty supervisors and administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. 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. Manage and manipulate data using requested packages, such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB. Be aware of department, School, University policies and potential outside research policies. Under general direction of faculty member, must be able to take complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies and apply them to new projects and situations. Must be able to 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. 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, and 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. 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. Must be able to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary. These are term appointments

starting summer 2027

through June 30, 2028, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2028, based on funding and performance. All Predoctoral Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, but faculty strongly prefer candidates willing to commit for two years. Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Candidates with external deadlines should notify the recruiter as soon as possible.

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

All candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample, transcript, and a code sample to be reviewed by an HBS statistician. This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information. Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one Retirement plans with university contributions Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination. HybridHarvard Job Function: ResearchUnion: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or TemporarySalary Grade: 055Department: Division of Research and Faculty DevelopmentFLSA Status: Exempt