Cognitive Aging Research Associate — Hybrid, Term Appointment

Geron; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies seeks a full-time Research Associate to support cognitive aging and dementia studies in South Africa within the HAALSA program. The role includes coordinating cognitive assessments, training fieldworkers, and ensuring data quality across international collaborations.

Based in Cambridge with a hybrid work arrangement (two days in person, three days remote), travel to South Africa up to twice yearly is required; the salary range is

Qualifications

• PhD or doctoral degree in a relevant field is required.
• Two or more years of post-doctoral experience.
• Experience managing research projects and teams.
• Experience administering cognitive assessments in research or clinical settings.
• Experience with translation or cultural adaptation of cognitive measures is highly desirable.
• Experience with statistical software (STATA, R, SAS) is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate cognitive assessment activities for HAALSA and related studies.
• Coordinate training, certification, and guidance to fieldworkers on assessments.
• Oversee translation and cultural adaptation of cognitive measures into SA languages.
• Ensure cognitive data quality, review data, and address data quality issues.
• Serve as liaison with SA counterparts to plan study activities and communication.
• Contribute to dementia diagnostic protocols, analyses, and diagnostic algorithms.
• Participate in neuropsychological data analyses and production of analytic datasets.
• Write and co-author publications; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Research project management

Cognitive assessments administration

Translation / cultural adaptation

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent / team work

Education

PhD or doctoral degree in Cognitive Psychology, Neuropsychology, Public Health, or similar field

Tools

STATA

R

SAS

Job description

The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies seeks a full-time Research Associate to support cognitive aging and dementia studies in South Africa within the HAALSA program. The role includes coordinating cognitive assessments, training fieldworkers, and ensuring data quality across international collaborations.

Based in Cambridge with a hybrid work arrangement (two days in person, three days remote), travel to South Africa up to twice yearly is required; the salary range is