Behavioral Research Services (BRS) serves the data collection needs of Harvard Business School (HBS) faculty, doctoral students, and their collaborators conducting a broad range of research, including laboratory and field experiments, online data collection, survey research, and other methods of gathering data from research participants. The team manages the HBS Behavioral Laboratory (BeLab), a state-of-the-art facility in Harvard Square, and provides methodological consultation, participant recruitment, and data collection services. The Behavioral Research Coordinator is a contributing member for daily operations and service delivery to HBS researchers, by (i) executing project work for behavioral research projects fun by HBS faculty (ii) ensuring lab operations run seamlessly in support of faculty research.
Position Description
Reporting to the Director, Behavioral Research Services and working with the other Behavioral Research Coordinator and undergraduate lab assistants, the Coordinator is part of a cross-functional team dedicated to the support of faculty research as well as other researchers performing studies across the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) and HBS. The Coordinator supports the research activities of the HBS faculty through the following work:
Behavioral Research Support
Contributes to the planning and execution of HBS faculty-led behavioral research studies conducted in-lab, online, and in the community. Provides feedback on research logistics and research operations when piloting experiments.
Conducts project work in support of HBS faculty-led behavioral research studies, including building surveys in Qualtrics, launching surveys on online platforms, and collecting data around Harvard and the surrounding communities.
Serves as a Qualtrics expert through consults with faculty, doctoral students, and research assistants. Builds surveys in Qualtrics. Reviews and evaluates surveys for content, flow, and back-end functionality.
Keeps up-to-date on evolving research methodologies and advises researchers on technologies and tools associated with behavioral research data collection. Communicates and advises the BRS team on new and innovative practices and technologies.
Serves as a resource to BRS team members by providing implementation guidance and support of studies conducted in the BeLab and in the field.
Maintains strong partnerships with service providers in other parts of Harvard University, at peer institutions, or at other organizations that offer behavioral research resources that may be valuable for HBS faculty, representing the needs of HBS researchers and serving as their point of contact as appropriate.
BeLab Operations
Recruits participants on campus and online to increase and maintain the size, quality, and diversity of subject pool. Implements study recruitment strategies (e.g., posting flyers around Harvard). Communicates with participants regarding research opportunities and lab activities, responds to participant inquiries. Assists with participant pool maintenance. Sends reminder and welcome emails to participants in the system.
Maintains relationships with vendors of online panels of research participants (e.g., Dynata, Lucid, Prolific), engaging with vendors on behalf of HBS researchers seeking participant populations not available in the HBS subject pool.
Coordinates administrative and operational activities of the lab (e.g., prepare computers, configure lab for studies). Allocates and schedules lab rooms and resources for researchers.
Supports the Director in managing lab assistants, including helping to train lab assistants on study-specific protocols and assisting with scheduling lab assistants.
Enters and maintains behavioral research data, research progress, and participant information into various databases (e.g., project management, recruitment, payment logs). Pulls data from various systems for reports.
Processes faculty chargebacks, uses time tracking and project management software.
Processes cash and digital payments for participants. Creates invoices and payment requisitions. Pays participants and tracks payments with receipts.
Manages BRS/BeLab email accounts; answers emails from participants and researchers.
Assists Director as needed in liaising with IT and Operations for tech support and crisis management.
Orders and tracks lab supplies; places lab work orders and operations requests.
Greets BeLab participants/guests in the waiting room. Answers phone calls.
This position is responsible for other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
5+ years of experience related to behavioral research is required.
Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) experience is a must.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Other Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree related to behavioral research required (e.g., psychology, economics, sociology, marketing), preferred.
Knowledge of survey design, experimental design, and sampling techniques is preferred.
The ideal candidate (i) has experience supporting research and has demonstrated administrative experience and (ii) is both excited about the endeavor of academic research and comfortable in a behind-the-scenes role supporting others' research.
Additional/Desired Qualifications:
Strong written and oral communication skills with attention to detail.
Strong customer-service orientation.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong process orientation but with an ability to find creative solutions to challenges.
Discretion, sound judgment, reliability, and initiative.
Diplomatic skills and professional demeanor.
Ability to meet deadlines and thrive under pressure.
Additional Information
This role is 40 hours per week and is overtime eligible.
This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA-based campus 3 days per week. Specific days and schedules will be determined between you and your manager.
We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.
Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment.
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.
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.
Department Office Location: USA - MA - Boston
Job Code: 403040 Coordinator II
Job Function: Faculty & Student Services, General Administration
Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub Unit: ------------
Salary Grade: 055
Department: Division of Research and Faculty Development
Salary Range: $74,000 - $78,000
Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Time Status: Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EOE 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.
