Job Summary
The Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning (EASEL) Lab, led by Professor Stephanie M. Jones and Associate Director Rebecca Bailey, seeks a full-time Project Coordinator to support our team in the Human Development and Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
The EASEL Lab explores the effects of high-quality social-emotional interventions on the development of children, youth, teachers, parents, and communities. Our projects aim to advance the field of social and emotional learning (SEL) through research, practice, and policy. Currently, the EASEL Lab is working on a 3-year grant from the LEGO Foundation to adapt SEL Kernels for use with preschool and primary school-age children in Ukraine. Working closely with a team of LEGO Foundation Master Trainers who are based in Ukraine and in collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and regional teacher training institutions, we have adapted, piloted, and are now scaling Play-Based SEL Kernels across the country, while conducting implementation and impact research. The goal of the partnership is to provide essential supports to young children and educators in Ukraine, while studying the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach, which may be useful in other crisis contexts. In a second partnership with Boston-based non-profit the Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention (AIP), the EASEL Lab is developing, implementing, and evaluating a new set of trauma-informed SEL Kernels, which are designed to be used by elementary school teachers and school-based counselors across multi-tiered systems of support. The trauma-informed Kernels are currently being implemented in two large school districts in Massachusetts, with the possibility of expanding to other sites.
Job Specific Responsibilities
The Project Coordinator will work closely with two project teams to ensure the successful completion of grant-specific milestones and deliverables. This position will collaborate with Senior Researchers (Jones and Bailey), EASEL Lab Research Managers, Data Analysts, and field-based partners to execute all project activities, including the following: the development and adaptation of SEL content and multi-media materials; the design and delivery of teacher training, monitoring tools, and implementation supports; administrative tasks such as contracting and coordinating with vendors; research activities including data collection, cleaning and analysis; grant reporting and project-related writing; and other project tasks. The Project Coordinator may also support the EASEL Lab in other research, programmatic, or administrative tasks as needed.
This is a seven-month (February 1 - August 31, 2026) term position with possibility for renewal.
Typical Core Duties
Typical duties will be completed with supervision and support from Senior Research Managers (Sonya Temko for the LEGO/Ukraine partnership and Thelma Ramirez for the AIP/Boston-area partnership), with increasing independence over time:
- Creating, adapting, and refining SEL Kernels and related materials based on local feedback (e.g., classroom games and activities, teacher training slides and facilitation materials, implementation supports and tips/guidance)
- Coordinating SEL Kernels rollout activities (e.g., updating the Kernels Ukraine website, maintaining and monitoring the Kernels Ukraine Facebook Group, helping to design and lead virtual events such as webinars and opening/closing events with educators, school leaders, and MOE representatives)
- Ensuring successful data collection in the field (e.g., creating and distributing surveys, designing protocols for focus groups or structured observations, conducting focus groups and/or interviews with study participants)
- Preparing materials for translation and coordinating with partners and/or vendors for translation, printing and distribution, etc.
- Preparing project-related contracts, invoices, and payments to vendors
- Preparing project-related data to be cleaned and analyzed
- Supporting the analysis of data and interpretation of results
- Preparing internal project reports for funders and partners
- Preparing materials for external audiences, such as conference presentations, journal articles, project briefs, and other publications
- Day-to-day project coordination, including creating timelines, maintaining and updating project work plans, communicating with project partners/research sites, creating agendas for project meetings, and monitoring and documenting progress towards deliverables
- Coordinating TI-SEL Kernels Trainings and Booster Sessions with participating districts and schools (including communicating with partners and schools, preparing teacher/counselor packets and training materials, and ensuring facilitation team is prepared re: content and logistics, etc.)
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum 3 years related experience.
- Must have experience with SEL research and programs, for example content development, program design or delivery.
- This position requires local travel (to Boston-area research sites) and may require international travel.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
This position requires demonstrable initiative, ability to work independently, and strong interpersonal and administrative skills. A high capacity to plan and organize is required.
- Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.
- A master’s degree in human development, education, or prevention science
- Knowledge and experience with SEL and trauma-informed practices
- Experience with data collection systems (monitoring, evaluation, research)
- Experience developing curricular materials for early childhood education (PreK-5)
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong writing and analysis skills
- Willingness to collaborate with team members on diverse project tasks
- Familiarity with education in emergencies or crisis contexts
Additional Information
- Appointment End Date: August 31, 2026
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Compensation Range/Rate: $64k - $65k commensurate with experience
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.