Behavioral Research Specialist

Job Summary The Behavioral Research Specialist supports the development and implementation of behavioral research studies across lab, online, and field settings. Reporting to the Director of Behavioral Research Services and collaborating with faculty, doctoral students, research assistants, and research staff, this role has a primary focus on building, testing, and deploying studies in Qualtrics while supporting high‑quality research implementation and participant experience. This position is well suited for a detail‑oriented individual with strong research and organizational skills, experience working with survey and research platforms, and interest in behavioral research methods and operations. The role requires the ability to execute research implementation tasks across multiple studies in a collaborative, service‑focused environment. Job‑Specific Responsibilities Survey & Experiment Development / Research Implementation Build, test, and deploy surveys and behavioral research studies using Qualtrics and related research platforms Apply advanced Qualtrics functionality (randomization, loop and merge, embedded data, display logic, and integrations) to support complex study designs Support faculty and research staff in study setup, protocol implementation, survey flow refinement, and participant experience considerations Conduct testing and quality review of surveys and research instruments prior to launch Support implementation of behavioral studies across lab, online, and field research environments Research Operations & Study Support Maintain research documentation, operational records, shared team resources, and researcher‑facing materials such as study guides, templates, and process documents Support compliance with IRB protocols and human subjects research requirements Coordinate with internal partners, vendors, and online participant recruitment platforms to support study execution Stay current on relevant research tools and technologies and share useful updates and operational practices with the BRS team Support research workflow coordination using project tracking, financial tracking and participant management tools Participant & Lab Operations Support day‑to‑day operations of the BeLab, including study preparation, lab scheduling, running participants through study‑specific protocols, technology setup, troubleshooting, and coordination with IT and Operations Recruit, maintain, and engage a diverse participant pool through approved outreach and communication strategies; coordinate participant communications, reminders, and inquiry responses Support processing of participant payments and related operational tasks in accordance with university policies Build trust and collaboration by being present on‑site and engaging directly with colleagues and constituents Perform other duties as assigned Basic Qualifications High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required 5+ years of directly related and specific experience supporting behavioral research studies, research coordination, or related operational activities is required Education beyond high school may count toward experience Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) experience is a must Experience supporting survey development, behavioral research studies, and participant management activities Proficiency with Qualtrics or similar survey platforms, including experience with survey logic, randomization, and embedded data features Experience with participant management and online participant recruitment platforms (Prolific, SONA, Cint, CloudResearch) Familiarity with scripting or programming languages that support survey functionality or research workflows Experience with IRB protocols and human subjects research compliance requirements Additional Qualifications and Skills Bachelor’s degree related to behavioral research required (e.g., psychology, economics, sociology, marketing, public policy) highly preferred Master’s degree or equivalent graduate training in a behavioral or social science field preferred Experience in research lab operations or academic research environments Familiarity with user experience considerations in survey or research study implementation Experience with participant outreach and engagement activities in research settings Interest in applying emerging tools (e.g., LLMs) relevant to behavioral research operations Strong organizational skills and experience using project or task tracking tools Additional Information Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week, overtime eligible position Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal Hybrid work: Combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA campus; onsite presence minimum 3 days per week during active data collection phases; hours may vary based on project demands; overtime may be required Candidate interviews may be conducted virtually (phone or Zoom) and/or in‑person 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 EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. 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