Senior Research Associate

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Given the importance of reducing corporate emissions to address climate change, we need to better understand how these pledges work and design strategies to ensure they are effective. However, there is a lack of information and analysis about whether corporate net-zero goals result in real emissions reductions. This project, led by a cross-disciplinary team of experts in environmental and administrative law, environmental economics and policy, and sustainable business strategy, supported by the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard, aims to analyze the impact of U.S. companies’ commitments and the implications for U.S. policy. The Cluster’s empirical research entails examining how companies with net-zero targets behave compared to companies without to understand how targets influence firm decision-making; analyzing the environmental effectiveness of corporate commitments, including if and how emissions reductions are achieved; and gaps or failures in implementation.

As a Senior Research Associate, you will be responsible for: 

• Project Leadership & Cross-Institutional Coordination. Serving as the primary operational lead for the project, directing timelines, workflows, and deliverables across a multi-institutional research team that includes co-Principal Investigators from Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School, as well as postdoctoral researchers and a team of Research Assistants. 
• Team Supervision & Professional Development. Supervising, training, and mentoring a team of Research Assistants, including reviewing their code and analytic output, setting performance standards, and making final quality control decisions in consultation with co-PIs. 
• Data Collection & Quality Control Oversight. Designing, implementing, and overseeing a complex, multi-stage data collection and quality control process, maintaining responsibility for dataset integrity and version control across all project phases. 
• Stakeholder Engagement & Feedback Management. Developing and managing an end-to-end process for soliciting, receiving, and adjudicating feedback from approximately 3,000 companies in the study sample, including final authority over corrections and updates to the dataset. 
• Technology & Automation Leadership. Directing the development of an automated data collection and quality control pipeline in collaboration with an LLM specialist and co-PIs, translating research requirements into technical specifications and overseeing delivery.
• Website & Communications Oversight. Leading the development of the project's public-facing website in coordination with an external web development contractor, providing substantive content including charts, tables, and written materials, and ensuring alignment with research goals. 
• Public Launch & Media Strategy.  Directing the preparation and execution of the project's public launch, coordinating with Harvard media specialists and co-PIs to manage communications strategy, timelines, and deliverables. 
• Scholarly Output & Research Leadership. Serving as primary author of the methodological white paper documenting dataset construction, quality control procedures, and research applications. Lead and co-author empirical research papers throughout the full publication lifecycle including data analysis, table and figure production, writing, editing, and management of submission timelines. 
• External Engagement & Dissemination. Representing the project externally through outreach activities designed to build visibility for the dataset and website among academic, policy, and practitioner audiences. 

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree  
• 3+ years related work experience performing research (quantitative or qualitative) required
• Supervisory experience

Appointment End Date: This is a term appointment expected to extend through December 31, 2026. 

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time.

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

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types 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.