Academic ConnectHarvard Business School seeks Predoctoral Research Associates to support faculty members across our Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Entrepreneurial Management, and Finance units starting in Summer 2025. Faculty currently hiring include: Professors Tsedal Neeley, Jeremy Yang, Shawn Cole, Eva Ascarza and Ayelet Israeli.
Predoctoral Research Associates will assist with the daily operations of academic projects in a variety of fields, such as competition, management, and innovation. Research often draws heavily on applied econometrics and microeconomic theory. These positions are ideal for candidates with an interest and plans for doctoral studies in business, economics, finance, psychology, organizational behavior, or other fields after working as a Predoctoral Research Associate for two years.
The Predoctoral Research Associates will report directly to the faculty 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.
Primary Duties: Develop and maintain expertise in new research methodologies and techniques. For quantitative roles, Predocs will manage and manipulate data using requested packages, such as STATA, Python, R, or MATLAB. For behavioral roles, Predocs will manage and manipulate data using qualitative research tools, such as Qualtrics and MTurk. They will also manage IRB submissions. Collect, clean, synthesize, and analyze data. Produce statistical models. Provide analysis of data exhibits for academic journal articles. Provide statistical analysis and design for reports and presentations. Develop, synthesize and provide analysis of literature reviews. May also provide analysis, editing, and drafts for academic journal articles, HBS cases and HBS teaching notes. Balance project requests from multiple faculty members, using strong communication and prioritization skills. Must be able to structure assignments and keep faculty member informed as necessary, using own judgment. Independently manage all timelines and deliverables. Exercise independent decision making with regard to progression of research project and methodologies. Responsible for other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in economics, mathematics, quantitative sciences, or business-related field is required. Statistical/programming experience and/or applied experience with Python, STATA, R, or MATLAB are required. Behavioral predoctoral roles require familiarity with qualitative coding and research methods, including tools like Qualtrics and MTurk. Additional Qualifications and Skills: Evidence of outstanding academic achievement. Indication of independent research experience and/or applied experience. Methodological interests in econometrics, statistics, machine learning, industrial organization, productivity, and economic theory are preferred. Must be able to take complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies and apply them to new projects and situations. Ability to use own judgement, structure assignments, and keep faculty members informed are a must. Excellent communication, interpersonal, organization, research, analytical, writing, and editing skills are required. Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to adapt to changes in priorities; ability to work calmly under deadline pressure, work both independently and as a team member, take initiative; and follow projects through to completion. Strong interest or prior experience leveraging AI.