Research Associate

at  Harvard University

JOB SUMMARY

Harvard Business School (HBS) seeks a Research Associate (RA) to support faculty members in the Technology and Operations Management (TOM) unit and the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard in creating innovative teaching materials for MBAs and Executive Education participants on applied data science and artificial intelligence (AI). The course Data Science and AI for Leaders (DSAIL) aims to be an “AI-first” course at Harvard, incorporating the latest developments in Generative AI for pedagogical advancements.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The RA’s responsibilities will include writing and revising teaching cases, as well as creating, managing, and analyzing datasets that accompany these cases. Additionally, the RA will work closely with the HBS Digital Transformation team to develop a course “bot” that will serve as the primary interface for students for all analytical and conceptual exercises. The RA will also have the opportunity to participate in developing teaching and learning concepts that democratize data science and AI for leaders.
Ideal RA candidates will thrive in an environment that requires a high level of independence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to exercise discretionary judgment. Under the general direction of faculty members, the RA will synthesize, analyze, and produce original written materials for all forms of academic writing. They will conduct background research, propose and create new cases, and update existing cases or materials for classroom use. The role also involves using advanced knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to manage and analyze research data.
The RA will work closely with Professors Iav Bojinov & Karim Lakhani and will be a member of the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard research team.
The Research Associate position reports directly to faculty supervisors and the administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office.

Primary duties:

• Data Science and AI Content Management and Updates: Oversee and maintain current data science and AI educational materials, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Migrate content and quantitative exercises, currently in R, to a new generative AI-powered tool for data analysis.
• Creation of New Teaching Content: Design and develop comprehensive learning materials, including exercises, case studies, digital tools, simulations, and multimedia content. Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information.
• Project and Deliverable Management: Manage the complete lifecycle of content creation, from ideation to final delivery. Develop detailed project plans and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion and high-quality deliverables.
• Timeline and Priority Management: Independently prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, developing and maintaining detailed project schedules. Communicate project status and updates effectively to stakeholders.
• Learner Support and Course Improvement: Provide technical support and guidance to learners, address their questions and challenges, and participate in course evaluation and improvement initiatives by gathering and analyzing learner feedback.
• Continuous Learning and Contribution: Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in data science and AI. Contribute to marketing and promotional materials for the course and foster a collaborative and innovative environment.

The ideal candidate has a background in data science and is naturally drawn to the areas of generative AI and data science in the classroom. The Researcher will work closely with Professor Lakhani and teaching faculty involved in the design and implementation of this course.
This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.
Potential Outcome: This is an exciting opportunity that will provide the successful candidate with first-hand exposure to world-class faculty, and an ideal environment in which to advance one’s own learning and professional development. The role could aid an individual with long-term aspirations of seeking a PhD, as it will help to develop and build a platform of research and writing in the fields of business analytics, digital transformation, and data science.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• A masters degree with at least 3 years relevant work experience, or bachelor’s degree with a least 5 years of relevant work experience are required.
• Degree in Business, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Political Science, Social Sciences, Statistics or similar with a background in statistical/mathematical methods strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of R, Python, and generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) is required.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Evidence of academic excellence. Proven evidence of independent research experience. The successful candidate will have excellent analytical and conceptual skills and must be comfortable working with data, including but not limited to data management and analysis, among others. A background in running lab sessions (for courses or experimental study) is desired. The candidate must have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and absolute commitment to timely task completion. The candidate must be able to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary. It is helpful if the candidate is familiar with navigating a complex organization, such as Harvard Business School.
Candidates with a PhD or 2+ years of additional experience may be considered for a higher salary grade. Candidates with less experience may be considered for a lower salary grade.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School (www.hbs.edu) is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. The School offers two full-time MBA and PhD programs, more than 175 Executive Education programs, and certificates and courses through Harvard Business School Online. For more than a century, Harvard Business School faculty have drawn on their research, connection to practice, global expertise, and passion for teaching to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.

• Data Science and AI Content Management and Updates: Oversee and maintain current data science and AI educational materials, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Migrate content and quantitative exercises, currently in R, to a new generative AI-powered tool for data analysis.
• Creation of New Teaching Content: Design and develop comprehensive learning materials, including exercises, case studies, digital tools, simulations, and multimedia content. Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information.
• Project and Deliverable Management: Manage the complete lifecycle of content creation, from ideation to final delivery. Develop detailed project plans and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion and high-quality deliverables.
• Timeline and Priority Management: Independently prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, developing and maintaining detailed project schedules. Communicate project status and updates effectively to stakeholders.
• Learner Support and Course Improvement: Provide technical support and guidance to learners, address their questions and challenges, and participate in course evaluation and improvement initiatives by gathering and analyzing learner feedback.
• Continuous Learning and Contribution: Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in data science and AI. Contribute to marketing and promotional materials for the course and foster a collaborative and innovative environment