Research Associate; General

Job Description

Harvard Business School (HBS) is seeking multiple Research Associates (General) starting in Summer 2026 to support assigned faculty members leading projects across a variety of business topics including:

• Harvard Business School AI Institute – The Harvard Business School AI Institute uses real‑world experimentation and rigorous research to shape how artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovation redesign business, science, and society.
• Julie Battilana’s Research on Social Innovation & Change – Through teaching, research, and field building efforts, the Social Innovation & Change Initiative helps aspiring and longtime social innovators navigate the challenges of initiating and implementing positive social change. This initiative is led by Professor Julie Battilana, whose research projects focus on power and purpose.
• William Kirby’s Research on China – Kirby’s work examines contemporary China’s business, economic, and political development in an international context. Successful candidates for this Research Associate opportunity ideally bring a background in Chinese studies, along with reading and language skills in Chinese languages.

The Research Associate position reports directly to faculty supervisors and an administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. Ideal candidates will be comfortable in an environment that requires a high level of independence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to use discretionary judgment.

• 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. Perform statistical programming. Experience with NLP.
• Manage and manipulate data using requested packages, such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations. Complete work with only general direction. 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.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 3.5 is required.

• Proven evidence of independent research in a 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.
• Extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary.
• Familiarity with navigating a complex organization such as Harvard Business School is helpful.

June 30, 2027. Term appointments starting summer 2026 through June 30, 2027, 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; faculty strongly prefer candidates willing to commit for two years.