Research Associate (General)

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. The Research Associate position reports directly to faculty supervisors and 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.

Responsibilities

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; 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; Take complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies and apply them to new projects and situations; 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

Requirements

Ability to read academic, subject-specific information and write a reasoned and thoughtful analysis, as well as produce a creative interpretation; Bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 3.5; Data science knowledge and prior knowledge of requested statistical packages; Experience with NLP; 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; Ability to take complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies and apply them to new projects and situations; Ability to structure assignments and keep faculty member informed as necessary, using own judgment

Nice to have

Proven evidence of independent research in specific advanced field of study; Evidence of prior high-quality, original academic writing; Background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data, research, news, and literature; Familiarity with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School; Comfortable in an environment that requires a high level of independence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to use discretionary judgment

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