Research Scientist, Project on Workforce

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 the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

Based at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, the Project on Workforce is an interdisciplinary initiative spanning the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School's Managing the Future of Work project, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The Project produces rigorous research and actionable insights at the intersection of education, labor markets, and economic mobility, with the goal of creating stronger pathways between learning and work. Through research, policy engagement, strategic partnerships, and convenings, the Project brings together leaders across and beyond Harvard to address the nation's workforce challenges and expand opportunity for workers and learners.

The Research Scientist will provide intellectual and operational leadership for a multi-year research initiative examining education and economic outcomes associated with career & technical education healthcare pathways across more than ten sites nationwide. Reporting to the Project on Workforce Director, the Research Scientist will lead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of a longitudinal research agenda, oversee quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and generate rigorous evidence to inform policy and practice.

The Research Scientist will serve as the project's primary methodological lead, developing research protocols, frameworks, and data infrastructure while ensuring research quality and integrity. The position will oversee project execution across multiple partners, manage research staff and external collaborators, guide participating sites in data use, and lead dissemination through publications, presentations, convenings, and engagement with practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and refinement of a multi-year longitudinal study examining education, workforce, and employer outcomes across more than ten CTE healthcare sites.
• Develop study methodologies, analytic frameworks, and data collection protocols to ensure rigorous and policy-relevant research.
• Direct quantitative and qualitative data collection, management, analysis, visualization, and interpretation across multiple data sources.
• Design and oversee research infrastructure, including data systems, reporting processes, dashboards, and quality assurance procedures.
• Provide methodological guidance and technical assistance to participating sites to strengthen data collection, reporting, and evidence-informed continuous improvement.
• Manage the day-to-day execution of the research portfolio, including project timelines, budgets, deliverables, external vendors, and cross-sector partnerships.
• Supervise research assistants and other project staff, providing mentorship, workflow management, and quality oversight.
• Lead preparation of research reports, policy briefs, academic publications, presentations, and other dissemination products.
• Represent the Project on Workforce in meetings, conferences, and convenings with educators, healthcare employers, policymakers, funders, and other external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the strategic development of new research initiatives and external funding opportunities aligned with the Project's mission. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in education, economics, education, public policy, or a related field and 3+ years of research experience, including research design and implementation.
• Demonstrated expertise designing and leading complex mixed-methods research studies.
• Experience supervising research staff or research teams.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated success designing and executing data collection efforts and communicating results to different audiences, including practitioners
• Significant experience conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, including program evaluation, descriptive and causal inference methods, and analysis of administrative and survey data.
• Demonstrated success managing complex research projects involving multiple partners, timelines, and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex research findings to diverse audiences, including practitioners, policymakers, funders, and academic audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience leading reports, publications, and presentations. 
• Experience working with education, labor market, or healthcare administrative datasets. 
• Experience engaging directly with education systems, employers, government agencies, or philanthropic organizations. 
• Familiarity with CTE, healthcare talent pipelines, or education-to-employment transitions. 

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: Benefits eligible one year term appointment from date of hire, with the possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This position is based on our campus in Cambridge, MA, and required to work in person 1-3 days/week.
  
  
   

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 058. 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.