Data & Research Specialist — Training & Consulting

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University seeks a Research and Data Specialist to bridge reference services with specialized consultation, training, and data solutions for faculty, students, and fellows. You’ll support teaching and learning by administering student access to technology in courses and aligning services with HKS’s mission.

You will collaborate with RLS teams to scope needs, design instructional materials, and deliver data literacy across the curriculum.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science, social science, or a related field with a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in research data services, research consulting, or a closely related role in a research, teaching and learning organization.
• A complete application must include a cover letter and resume.
• Proficiency in a programming language (such as R, Stata, Python) used in public policy, social science, or government and public administration research.
• Knowledge of datasets and information resources relevant to public policy, social science, or government and public administration research.
• Experience supporting research in a library with a focus on teaching, learning, and research, policy research institution, or similar environment.
• Familiarity with data management planning, open data practices, and reproducibility standards.
• Experience working with a diverse patron or client group.
• Demonstrated proficiency in working with data and research software and tools.
• Proficiency in citation management and related tools
• Experience designing and delivering instruction or training, both individually and in group settings.
• Passionate about research, data, and delivering substantive and responsive resources and services to your community.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Delivers individualized, in-depth research and data consultations to faculty, students, and fellows, with a focus on reference research, research design, research methods and data analysis and assists students and researchers in identifying appropriate datasets and data sources, devising research strategies, and using citation and analytical tools effectively.
• In collaboration with RLS staff designs, develops, and delivers training and workshops to develop and enhance research and data skills; develops and continually improves instructional materials, curricula, and online training resources guided by best practices and needs of the community.
• Administers student licenses for tools used in courses at HKS (e.g. ChatGPT Edu and Claude)
• Manage user access to HKS and/or Harvard licensed data, software and other research, teaching, and learning resources.
• Supports data management processes related to course work, including reviewing data management plans for capstone projects and providing consultations in data management to students.
• Partners with the RLS Library Services group to embed research and data literacy into course-integrated instruction and orientations; embeds as a course consultant as requested by faculty.
• In collaboration with RLS staff, builds strong working relationships with faculty, research centers, students, and research-affiliated staff to understand data needs across the HKS community and works with the Director of Research Computing and Data Services and the Director of Library Services to proactively develop services and programming that address those needs.
• Fosters a spirit of teamwork and unity among the department that allows for disagreement over ideas and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, support, and working effectively together to enable each employee and the department to succeed in our efforts to support the HKS community and mission.

Skills

R

Stata

Python

Education

Master’s degree in library and information science, social science, or a related field

Tools

ChatGPT Edu

Claude

Job description

Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University seeks a Research and Data Specialist to bridge reference services with specialized consultation, training, and data solutions for faculty, students, and fellows. You’ll support teaching and learning by administering student access to technology in courses and aligning services with HKS’s mission.

You will collaborate with RLS teams to scope needs, design instructional materials, and deliver data literacy across the curriculum.