Predoctoral Research Associate - July 1, 2025 Start at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Predoctoral Research Associate - July 1, 2025 Start

Req ID: 67098BR

School or Unit: Harvard Business School

Description: Position Description

Professor Zoe Cullen, an economist at Harvard Business School, is seeking a full-time Research Associate - starting around July of 2025. The Research Associate will be based at Harvard and be a part of the Research Associate program within Harvard Business School. However, the Research Associate will be joining projects with colleagues at other institutions, including projects with Nina Roussille (MIT), Ricardo Perez-Truglia (Berkeley), Danielle Li (MIT), Bobak Pakzad-Hurson (Brown), Shengwu Li (Harvard), and projects involving graduate students in the economics department at Harvard and MIT.

Zoe Cullen graduated with a PhD from Stanford in Economics in 2016. Her interests are in the design of labor markets and the choices of employers and labor platforms that affect matters of public interest, such as pay transparency, pay inequality and criminal background screening. She's an NBER Affiliate in Labor Studies, an Associate Editor at the Journal of Political Economy and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2024-2026).

Much of her and her colleagues' ongoing research uses experimental and quasi-experimental methods to identify causal effects and to propose and test economic models. Examples of current research projects include understanding the potential role of labor contracts to direct the use of AI, labor market determinants of innovation, and the role of negotiations in wage inequality.

This position is ideal for candidates with an interest in empirical economics who have plans for doctoral studies after working for two years. Prior Reseach Associates have matriculated in PhD programs at top 5 departments in economics. The Research Associate will report directly to Professor Cullen and an 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:

• Use statistical software to work with large data sets and develop statistical models and assist with the execution of human subject experiments.
• Participate in team meetings, conduct literature reviews, edit research papers, create presentations, and assist with case studies and original data collection, including correspondence with high-level decision makers.
• Independently manage all timelines and deliverables. Exercise independent decision making with regard to progression of research project and methodologies. Must be able to structure assignments and keep faculty member informed as necessary, using own judgment.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and advanced coursework in economics, mathematics, quantitative sciences, or business-related field required.
• Statistical programming and a basic understanding of econometrics. Proficiency in Stata, SAS, R, and/or Python.
• Experience with empirical research methods.
• Strong critical thinking and excellent writing skills to assist with drafting of manuscripts and presentations.

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, and economic theory are preferred. Must be able to take complex research ideas, concepts, and methodologies and apply them to new projects and situations.
• Ability to use own judgement, structure assignments, and keep faculty members informed are a must.
• 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

Please do not contact Professor Cullen directly. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

These are term appointments starting July 1st, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with an expectation of reappointment until June 30, 2027, based on funding and performance. This appointment has flexibility to start earlier than July 1st. All Research Associate roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, but Professor Cullen prefers candidates willing to commit for two years.

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 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 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.

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