Research Assistant

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. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well‑being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world‑renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

This person will serve as a full‑time research assistant in the Rajan Lab, working closely with postdoctoral researchers. The individual will support ongoing computational neuroscience projects focused on neural population dynamics and learning in complex systems. Key responsibilities include assisting with the development and analysis of computational models of neural circuits, implementing and testing learning rules in simulated neural populations, contributing to the analysis of neural data, writing and maintaining analysis code, running simulations, organizing results, and preparing figures or summaries for internal discussions, manuscripts, and conference presentations.

The individual will participate in regular lab meetings and project discussions, collaborate with other trainees and researchers in the lab, and assist with literature review and exploratory analyses to help advance ongoing research projects. The position provides structured research experience in computational neuroscience while contributing directly to the lab’s modeling and data analysis efforts.

In person at the Kempner Institute and Harvard Medical School.

Use of a computer.

Basic Qualifications

• College background or equivalent experience, preferably in a related discipline.
• At least one‑year related work experience (relevant coursework may count towards experience).

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Previous research experience preferred.

• Term:
  One‑year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding.
• Standard Hours/
  
  Schedule:
  
  35 hrs. per week | Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Visa Sponsorship:
  Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening:
  Identity verification.

This position requires that all duties and responsibilities be performed at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

This position is salary grade level 052. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Well‑being and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. 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.