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Harvard University Research Assistant IV Non-Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts

66182BRAuto req ID:66182BRJob Code:403126 Research Assistant IV Non-Lab Department Office Location:USA - MA - Boston Business Title:Research Assistant IV Non-Lab (Research Specialist, Science and Technology Team)Sub-Unit:------------ Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :055Time Status:Full-time Union:55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers Basic Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of relevant work experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered

  • Experience with qualitative software packages, such as NVivo, Dedoose, Atlas.ti, is required

Additional Qualifications and Skills: The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

  • Bachelor's Degree, preferably in a related field of research study

  • Masters or equivalent work experience, preferably masters in public health, anthropology, social science, or related field

  • Experience with literature searches and/or scientific writing

  • Prior experience with manuscript and/or grant writing and preparation

  • Experience conducting and supporting research projects

  • Experience in qualitative research methods, i.e. developing interview guides and, conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups

  • Positive, flexible, professional, and a can-do attitude

  • Works both independently and on a team

  • Prioritizes issues and use sound judgment to recognize when additional consultation and/or help is needed

  • Comfortable working on multiple projects at one tim

    The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

  • Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments

  • Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion

  • Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

    Our core values are:

  • Respect for the Ariadne Labs mission, our community, each other, and ourselves

  • Stewardship of our work and resources

  • Pursuit of excellence, with a focus on continual improvement

  • A belief in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to our work

  • A commitment to meaningful diversity and inclusion in our work and in the Ariadne Labs community

    Characteristics of people who thrive at Ariadne are:

  • Humility about the limits of one’s own expertise and experience

  • Intellectual curiosity

  • Agility

  • Self-discipline

  • Attention to detail

  • Willingness to roll up sleeves to get the job done

Additional Information: Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!


  • The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.

  • Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.

  • This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.


The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. Department:Ariadne LabsPre-Employment Screening:Identity Job Function:Research Position Description: Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Qualitative Research:

  • Work with senior staff to develop interview and focus group guides, code and analyze data, and write up reports/results.

  • Act as lead moderator/interviewer in the gathering of insights through qualitative research methods, primarily through focus group moderation and/or in-depth interviews and mentor / train other staff to conduct interviews and focus groups

    Quantitative Research:

  • Perform data management functions including preparation of analytic data sets and detection of outliers and potential data quality issues

  • Manipulation and analysis of data sets using statistical software (e.g., STATA, SAS)

  • Carefully document all programming, data management, and decision steps, which will serve as a technical appendix to project deliverables

    Background Research:

  • Conduct background research including literature, guideline, and white paper reviews

    Dissemination of work:

  • Collaborate on dissemination of work including writing manuscripts and presenting lessons learned and findings in relevant local, national, and international forums

  • Collate, organize, and/or draft material for the preparation of research papers, convenings, tool development, manuscripts, progress reports, articles or other documents for publication and/or presentation

    Other responsibilities could include:

  • Design interview and survey tools (including building survey tools in RedCAP, Qualtrics, or Google forms)

  • Support grant submission processes; preparing grant proposal documents

  • Process, organize and summarize data, report results using a variety of scientific, word processing, visual management, spreadsheet or statistical software applications

    The Research Specialist will performs other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of 1 year from date of hire with the possibility of extension. This role is a benefits and overtime eligible position with a schedule of 40 hours/week. School/Unit:Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health EEO Statement:We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.Job Summary: Ariadne Labs is a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Our goal is to drive scalable solutions for better care at critical moments in people’s lives everywhere. Better care means better health outcomes, lower costs, and more actual caring. Critical means solving health systems failures that have major impact, typically touching people by the millions. Ariadne Labs currently has research programs in the areas of childbirth, surgery, palliative care, and primary health care.

The Research Specialist will be a key member of the Science and Technology team and will have the opportunity to work on projects across the lab, gaining exposure to the breadth of programmatic areas, from maternal and child health, rural home hospital care, serious illness care, vaccine delivery, and safe surgery. Under the supervision of the Platform Manager on Science and Technology, the Research Specialist will be responsible for working collaboratively with faculty and staff to conduct a wide range of research activities across a variety of projects at the Lab. Ideal candidates will have experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative data and a strong interest in applying their skill set to help solve health systems problems. The Research Specialist will be a remote position.

The candidate must possess strong analytical and organizational skills. They must have time management skills, the ability to work independently, and must demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing. Interpersonal skills are also essential, i.e. an ability to interact effectively with colleagues and partners at all levels (including research and clinical professionals). The candidate does not need to have all of the skills listed but must have a willingness to learn new skills. Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/) , our Principles of Citizenship (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/) , and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/diversity/) initiatives. Benefits: We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

  • Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.

  • Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.

  • Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.

  • Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.

  • Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.

  • Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.

  • Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.

  • Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.

  • Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format:Remote LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-AP1Work Format Details: This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

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