Research Associate; General

Overview

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.

• Harvard Business School AI Institute — The Institute uses real-world experimentation and rigorous research to shape how artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovation redesign business, science, and society.
• The Private Capital Project — Private equity has become an integral part of the financial landscape. The project explores private capital within Harvard Business School’s broader missions and its potential to address global challenges. This project is co-led by Professor Josh Lerner and Professor Victoria Ivashina.
• Julie Battilana's Research on Social Innovation & Change — The initiative focuses on power and purpose, helping social innovators navigate challenges to initiate and implement positive social change.

Please note the faculty currently hiring include:

• Julie Battilana
• Lauren Cohen
• Josh Lerner and Victoria Ivashina (paired together)

You will see this posting updated with names of additional hiring faculty listed in the coming months as more needs are identified. Indicate the faculty you are interested in supporting in your cover letter.

More information on career outcomes, including PhD programs attended and pathways, can be seen here.

The Research Associate position reports directly to faculty supervisors and the 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 the HBS research agenda. Provide subject-area knowledge, analysis and interpretation to the faculty member. Identify and explore a wide range of questions related to the 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. 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 a faculty member, translate complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies into new projects and situations. Structure assignments and keep the 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.

Basic Qualifications:

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

Additional

Qualifications and Skills:

Proven evidence of independent research in an 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 essential.

The candidate must have very high standards for quality of work, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to task completion. The ability to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines is important. It is helpful if the candidate is familiar with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School.

• Appointment End Date: June 30, 2027. These are term appointments starting Summer 2026 through June 30, 2027, with an expectation of reappointment until June…