Do you have a deep and abiding interest in grappling with the Internet's toughest social and technical problems? Do you believe in the power of deep user understanding to drive positive change? Are you excited by the opportunity to drive ambitious experiments and learn by doing?
The Applied Social Media Lab (ASML) is a new initiative of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. Our two-year mission is to build social media solutions that center the public interest. We are assembling a team of industry-trained technologists to work with experts from academia and civil society to build new software, protocols, and designs to foster healthier human connections. Teams of industry-trained engineers, designers, and product managers will work in flexible pods organized around key challenges and opportunities such as transparency and governance, decentralized networks, online safety, and healthy discourse.
As a user experience researcher at the ASML, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the Lab's designers, product managers, and engineers understand user needs and build software that serves the public good. This role will be primarily focused on design/usability and post-launch research, and mostly qualitative methods, rather than foundational or large-scale quantitative research. In this role, you will be showing potential users preliminary designs of new Lab ideas; testing new screens and new features to ensure they are intuitive, inclusive, and effective; and building relationships with users of our ongoing projects to understand their pain points and needs going forward. This is not a management role, but there is the potential to oversee a small budget for student research assistants to augment the Lab's work. Ideally, you will be excited to represent the Lab publicly, telling the story of our learnings, and making the case for the user voice in social media experiences that serve the public interest.
As a User Experience Researcher you will:
Assess Lab ideas and projects for their UX research requirements and recommend where research support is most needed.
Conduct qualitative user experience research studies for multiple projects, including selection of appropriate methodologies, recruiting participants, and leading research sessions.
Prepare and share research findings that are persuasive and suitable for non-experts, including recommendations for next steps and product improvements that encourage positive user behaviors and inclusive participation.
Ensure accessibility and inclusivity are at the forefront of all user experience decisions.
Collaborate closely with designers, software engineers and product managers.
Basic Qualifications
Minimum of 2 years post-secondary education or relevant work experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have/are:
Hands-on experience in conducting a wide range of qualitative user research methods.
A track record of insights and recommendations that have led to real product improvements.
Proficiency with remote research tools and strategies to ensure broad geographic representation in user studies.
Basic familiarity with design and prototyping tools would be a plus (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
Effective communication and collaboration skills, ability to explain research methodologies and findings to non-specialist audiences.
Passion for people. A successful UX researcher at the Lab will care deeply about humans, fairness and equity, and love the humane role of user research in creating compassionate user experiences.
Openness and flexibility. We don't know the answers to the questions the Lab is asking. A successful researcher at the Lab will be open to trying new things, receiving feedback, and changing course quickly.
Mission-driven and resilient. Building a better social media will involve confronting difficult questions and content. We are here because we care about the mission, first and foremost.
Additional Information
This is a term appointment expected to extend through June 30, 2025, subject to departmental funding and need.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
About Us
Be a part of excellence and leadership in legal education and scholarship at Harvard Law School. We are a community of talented people from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, dedicated to advancing the cause of justice all over the world. We value our differences and our diversity as a source of strength. We are committed to developing and inspiring our students and our workforce. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive.
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.
LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)
#LI-TB1
Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code: I1657P IT User Experience Prof III
Job Function: Information Technology
Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub Unit: ------------
Salary Grade: 057
Department: Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society
Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Time Status: Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening: Education, 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.
