- Maintains researcher personnel records in accordance with FAS
processes and policies.
- Tracks appointment end dates, reappointment dates, and review
dates and communicates upcoming actions to departments.
Hiring and Onboarding
- Supports and coordinates researcher hiring processes, including
appointment documentation and workflow processing.
- Coordinates visual compliance screening and visa initiation as
appropriate.
- Initiates and monitors I-9 processing and employment
eligibility requirements.
- Partners with multiple University offices to ensure timely
onboarding and appointment completion.
Compliance and Visa Administration
- Initiate visa request with HIO and liaise with the Harvard
International Office (HIO) regarding visa status, timelines, and
researcher appointments.
- Monitors visa-related requirements and ensures compliance with
University policies and applicable regulations in conjunction with
HIO
- Ensures adherence to relevant union contracts and researcher
appointment policies
Payroll and Transaction Processing
- Inputs and/or approves payroll and job data transactions for
researchers.
- Coordinates with grant managers, payroll, and departmental
administrators to ensure accurate and timely processing of complex
transactions.
- Monitors appointment funding and payroll implications
associated with researcher actions.
Consultation and Issue Resolution
- Serves as a primary point of contact for departments regarding
researcher transactions and appointment questions.
- Advises faculty, principal investigators, and administrators on
researcher appointment types, processes, and policy
requirements.
- Triages researcher-related issues and directs stakeholders to
appropriate resources (e.g., HR, HIO, OFA Professional Development,
Leaves).
Stakeholder Support
- Responds to inquiries regarding researcher transactions,
appointments, payroll, and policy interpretation. Builds effective
working relationships with departments and University partners to
facilitate efficient service delivery.
Decision Making
- Exercises independent judgment in administering researcher
appointments, interpreting established policies and procedures,
prioritizing workload, and resolving routine and moderately complex
personnel issues. Identifies compliance concerns, recommends
solutions, and escalates policy exceptions or high-risk matters to
the Researcher Affairs Manager as appropriate.
Working Conditions:
This position operates in a professional office environment and
requires extensive interaction with faculty, researchers,
administrators, and University partners. The role involves
prolonged computer use, management of multiple concurrent
deadlines, frequent coordination across administrative offices, and
handling confidential personnel information with a high degree of
accuracy and discretion.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and
relevant experience.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative
experience in an academic, research, or higher education
environment.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience administering academic or research
appointments.
- Experience with researcher lifecycle management, grants, and
fellowships.
- Experience supporting faculty, researchers, or academic
personnel administration is preferred.
- Experience with enterprise human resources systems; proficiency
with Microsoft Office suite and aptitude for quick adoption of new
applications including database, and document management
systems.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound
judgment in managing sensitive and complex issues.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands and manage
multiple time-sensitive priorities in a fast-paced
environment.
- Strong customer service orientation with the ability to
establish productive relationships across diverse
constituencies.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication
skills.
- Ability to interpret and communicate complex policies and
procedures to diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated discretion and the ability to maintain
confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel
information.
- Flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing
organizational priorities.
Additional Information
- Appointment End Date: This is a two year term
appointment from date of hire.
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is
unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
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.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit
Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the
corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to
support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and
financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our
benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting
on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition
assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our
Benefits & Wellbeing
Page .
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to
equal opportunity and
non-discrimination . We seek talent
from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure
everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community
advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an
equal employment opportunity policy
that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the
basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,
or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the
university's
non-discrimination policy . Harvard's
equal employment opportunity policy
and
non-discrimination policy help all
community members participate fully in work and campus life free
from harassment and discrimination.
