Senior Research Associate

Job Description Given the importance of reducing corporate emissions to address climate change, we need to better understand how these pledges work and design strategies to ensure they are effective. However, there is a lack of information and analysis about whether corporate net‑zero goals result in real emissions reductions. This project, led by a cross‑disciplinary team of experts in environmental and administrative law, environmental economics and policy, and sustainable business strategy, supported by the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard, aims to analyze the impact of U.S. companies’ commitments and the implications for U.S. policy. The Cluster’s empirical research entails examining how companies with net‑zero targets behave compared to companies without to understand how targets influence firm decision‑making; analyzing the environmental effectiveness of corporate commitments, including if and how emissions reductions are achieved; and identifying gaps or failures in implementation. Responsibilities Project Leadership & Cross‑Institutional Coordination: Serving as the primary operational lead for the project, directing timelines, workflows, and deliverables across a multi‑institutional research team that includes co‑Principal Investigators from Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, postdoctoral researchers and a team of Research Assistants. Team Supervision & Professional Development: Supervising, training, and mentoring a team of Research Assistants, reviewing their code and analytic output, setting performance standards, and making final quality control decisions in consultation with co‑PIs. Data Collection & Quality Control Oversight: Designing, implementing, and overseeing a complex, multi‑stage data collection and quality control process, maintaining responsibility for dataset integrity and version control across all project phases. Stakeholder Engagement & Feedback Management: Developing and managing an end‑to‑end process for soliciting, receiving, and adjudicating feedback from approximately 3,000 companies in the study sample, including final authority over corrections and updates to the dataset. Technology & Automation Leadership: Directing the development of an automated data collection and quality control pipeline with an LLM specialist and co‑PIs, translating research requirements into technical specifications and overseeing delivery. Website & Communications Oversight: Leading the development of the project's public‑facing website, providing substantive content including charts, tables and written materials, and ensuring alignment with research goals. Public Launch & Media Strategy: Directing the preparation and execution of the project's public launch, coordinating with Harvard media specialists and co‑PIs to manage communications strategy, timelines, and deliverables. Scholarly Output & Research Leadership: Serving as primary author of the methodological white paper documenting dataset construction and quality control procedures, and leading/co‑authoring empirical research papers throughout the publication lifecycle. External Engagement & Dissemination: Representing the project externally through outreach activities designed to build visibility for the dataset and website among academic, policy, and practitioner audiences. Qualifications Master’s degree. 3+ years of related work experience performing research (quantitative or qualitative) required. Supervisory experience. 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. Salary Grade and Ranges This position is salary grade level 057. Harvard's Salary Ranges provide the corresponding salary range and related information. EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. Harvard seeks talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that prohibits 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Conditions. Workplace Diversity, LLC.