Harvard Business School (HBS) seeks a full-time Predoctoral Research Associate to work with Professor Livia Alfonsi in the Negotiations, Organizations & Markets unit starting sometime between April 2025 and July 2025.
Prof. Alfonsi specializes in development economics, focusing on labor market frictions and the determinants of labor market participation in low-income countries. Her research focuses on identifying barriers preventing young adults and women in poor countries from successfully integrating into labor markets. She also works to develop and evaluate policies that help these populations secure regular, well-paying jobs with meaningful career prospects. For more information about her past and ongoing research, please visit: https://www.liviaalfonsi.com/research. The position will not be tied to a specific project, but it could be aligned with a few depending on how the pre-doc skills and interests complement ongoing research.
Her research primarily employs methods such as randomized controlled trials, instrumental variables, and fixed-effects models to achieve rigorous causal identification. The main data sources include large-scale surveys (in-person, phone, and audio recordings), observational data, and text data.
The position is an excellent opportunity for candidates planning to apply to PhD programs in Economics or Public Policy in the 2026 or 2027 cycle.
The Predoctoral Research Associate 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:
Clean, synthesize, and analyze data in Stata.
Develop and maintain expertise in new research methodologies and techniques. Manage and manipulate data using requested packages
Explore and address key research questions through rigorous econometric methods.
Prepare reports, presentations, and white papers to summarize research findings. Provide statistical analysis and design for reports and presentations in Stata and LaTeX.
Provide guidance and supervision to research interns to ensure efficient project progress.
Occasional Responsibilities: Assist with the design and implementation of survey instruments and data collection activities.
Independently manage all timelines and deliverables. Exercise independent decision making with regard to progression of research project and methodologies.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in economics, mathematics, quantitative sciences, or business-related field required.
Stata: Highly Proficient.
Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Extensive experience working on research projects in a rigorous academic or field setting
Knowledge of quantitative methods and public policy evaluation (e.g. Randomized Controlled Trials).
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.
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.
Additional Information
This is a term appointment starting sometime between April 2025 and July 2025, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2027, based on funding and performance. All Predoctoral Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, but faculty strongly prefer candidates willing to commit for two years.
The recruiting process is rolling. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, now through spring 2025. Candidates with external deadlines should notify the recruiter ASAP.
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 a STATA code sample to be reviewed by an HBS statistician.
Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.
Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore HBS work culture at https://www.hbs.edu/employment/.
About Us
Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 250 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and PhD degrees, as well as more than 175 Executive Education programs, and Harvard Business School Online, the School's digital learning platform. For more than a century, faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching, to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will go on to shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.
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)
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Department Office Location: USA - MA - Boston
Job Code: RS0055 Researcher I Humanities
Job Function: Research
Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub Unit: ------------
Salary Grade: 055
Department: Division of Research and Faculty Development
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.
