Senior Researcher - Organizational Behavior

Posting date: March 20, 2026

External Reference: 001750SR

1. Job Type: Full-time
2. Location: Boston
3. School/Unit: Harvard Business School
4. Department: Division of Research and Faculty Development
5. Salary Grade: 057
6. Job Function: Research
7. FLSA Status: Exempt
8. Term Appointment: Yes
9. Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Business School?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Job Description

Harvard Business School seeks a Senior Researcher to work with Professor Leslie Perlow within the Organizational Behavior unit. The Senior Researcher position reports directly to faculty. Ideal candidates will thrive in a collaborative and fast-moving environment that requires intellectual curiosity, responsiveness, and the ability to contribute unique insights while working closely with faculty and industry collaborators.

Under the direction of Professor Perlow, the Researcher will develop, design, and conduct research examining how individuals in organizations spend their time and how their daily activities relate to well-being and performance at work and in life. The project combines large-scale quantitative analysis with qualitative insights to understand how time spent and value derived relate to personal and organizational outcomes. The Researcher will use modern technology to design flexible measurement tools and will use advanced knowledge of quantitative research methodologies and data science techniques to manage, extrapolate, and analyze research data.

The ideal candidate has a background in organizational behavior and is naturally drawn to the areas of work, work design, performance, happiness, and work-life. They further have an interest in working closely with others, as well as helping to manage the project’s day-to-day activities. The candidate will primarily collaborate with Professor Perlow, as well as play a central role in overseeing the project’s work with other faculty, executive fellows, students, and research associates.

Primary Duties:

• Partner with Prof. Perlow on topics central to the project’s agenda, focusing on the impact of AI, work design, and the role of time use and subjective value. Provide advanced subject-area expertise, analysis, and interpretation. Act with a high degree of creativity. Serve as a collaborator and thought-partner.
• Identify novel research questions, develop analytical strategies, and independently generate insights that shape the direction of ongoing research projects.
• Develop, analyze, and implement research using advanced knowledge and scientific rigor.
• Write cases, academic journal articles, grants, project reports, and other project-related materials from start to finish. Manage all timelines and deliverables for multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Create original, thought-provoking, innovative presentations and writings for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Exercise independent decision-making with regard to the progression of the research project and appropriate methodologies. When confronted with unexpected research data, be able to make deductions, add insight, and draw conclusions to share with faculty.
• Represent HBS to outside entities: interacting with prominent individuals, interviewing decision makers at companies, and working closely with company representatives on research efforts.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations. Be aware of department, School, University policies, and potential outside research policies.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. obtained (or expected) in organizational behavior, psychology, industrial organizational psychology, management, or related field is required.
• Evidence of experience with experiment/survey design, advanced data manipulation, quantitative data modelling, large-language modelling, and clear data visualization.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills (both written and oral) are a must.
• Experience managing others and successfully working as part of a team.
• Working proficiency in R (preferable) or Python, as well as the ability to read and adapt to other languages.

Additional Qualifications:

Proven ability to work independently and creatively. Proficient and creative with AI. This position requires an individual capable of consistent use of discretion, judgment, and initiative. The candidate must have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, great attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion. Ability to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace is often necessary.

Additional Information

Appointment End Date: This is a 5 month full-time term appointment with potential for multi-year renewal, starting July 1st with possibility to start earlier if available. All HBS Research roles are structured as term appointments.

Standard Hours/Schedule:40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information:Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening:Education, Identity

Other Information:This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

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. All candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample, transcript, and at times a code sample to be reviewed by an HBS statistician.

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 057. 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.