Research Associate
Job Summary:
Under the general direction of faculty member, the HBS Research Associate will develop, design and conduct research projects; synthesize, analyze, and produce statistical models; contribute to scholarly research products including but not limited to journal articles, working papers, and presentations.
The RA will work under the direction of a professor in the Finance and Entrepreneurial Management unit, in the fields of venture capital, private equity, and entrepreneurship.
The RA position reports directly to the faculty supervisor and administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. Ideal RA candidates will be comfortable in an environment that requires a high level of independence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to use discretionary judgment.
This position is ideal for individuals who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in economics, finance, or related fields. The RA position offers opportunities to gain research experience and letters of recommendation for applications to doctoral programs. Previous RAs have co-authored research papers with the supervising faculty.
Primary Duties:
· Collect, construct, and analyze data using statistical packages such as STATA, SAS, or other statistical software packages.
· Report and present statistical results in a clear and coherent manner.
· Perform literature reviews for new and ongoing research projects.
· Assist faculty supervisor in drafting research papers and provide additional data support with collaborators.
· Manage a team of undergraduate RAs in the data collection and preliminary analysis process.
· Represent HBS to outside entities: interacting with prominent individuals when collecting company data. Ensure compliance with the department, the University, and federal regulations. Complete work with only general direction. Be aware of departmental, School, University policies and potential outside research policies.
Basic Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics, or Business-related field is required.
· Evidence of outstanding academic achievement. Strong mathematics background. Statistical/programming experience and/or applied experience in STATA is required.
· Indication of training and good habits in data management and analysis. Evidence of prior high-quality data manipulation and analysis required.
· Proficiency in Python or R is desirable. Strong skills related to the Microsoft Office Suite are expected.
· Experience of working with large dataset and solid understanding of database structure are desirable.
Proven ability to work independently and creatively. This position requires an individual capable of consistent use of discretion, judgment and initiative. Background in analysis and interpretation of relevant data and research is necessary. All candidates will be expected to submit sample coding to be reviewed by and discussed with an HBS statistician.
Additional Qualifications:
Preference for candidate who plans to seek a doctorate degree and pursue an academic career.
The candidate should have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion. He or she must be able to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary. Diplomatic skills, comfort in interacting with prominent individuals, and grace under pressure are essential. It is helpful if the candidate is familiar with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School.
Additional Information:
This is a full-time term appointment starting as soon as possible through June 30, 2022 with likely reappointment for the next academic year. All HBS RA roles are structured as term appointments. Preference for candidates willing to commit for two or more years, and who have plans to seek a doctoral degree in economics, finance, or related disciplines.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; a cover letter and resume are required for full consideration. Upon the review of application materials, applicants will be asked to submit a code and writing sample, and transcript(s).
Must be eligible to work in the United States, without needing the University’s visa sponsorship.