Interdisciplinary Research Program Lead

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University’s Harvard Graduate School of Design seeks an Interdisciplinary Research Program Manager to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects across advanced thermal materials, intelligent building-scale systems, and urban-scale energy management.

The role reports to the Director of the Center for Green Buildings and Cities and focuses on meetings, reporting, and proposals to advance HouseZero-inspired innovations and real-world climate solutions.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in engineering, architecture, urban planning, environmental science, energy systems, or a closely related interdisciplinary field.
• Experience leading or coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder research initiatives, particularly those involving sustainability, climate resilience, or urban systems.
• Proven ability to synthesize interdisciplinary research and produce accessible technical and non-technical reports.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and organizational skills; experience managing collaborative teams and meetings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grant writing and report preparation.
• Familiarity with extramural funding processes and experience coordinating successful proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary boundaries and with external industry partners.

Responsibilities

• Cross-Team Coordination across the project's three research thrusts and liaising with the PI and co-PIs.
• Stakeholder and Industry Engagement to maintain relationships with industry partners and external stakeholders.
• Metrics and Progress Tracking to monitor milestones and manage sponsor reporting deadlines.
• Annual Report and White Paper responsibilities, coordinating input across teams.
• Proposal Development including preparing and submitting extramural funding proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Facilitation

Organizational skills

Grant writing

Report writing

Communication skills

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Doctorate degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Harvard University’s Harvard Graduate School of Design seeks an Interdisciplinary Research Program Manager to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects across advanced thermal materials, intelligent building-scale systems, and urban-scale energy management.

The role reports to the Director of the Center for Green Buildings and Cities and focuses on meetings, reporting, and proposals to advance HouseZero-inspired innovations and real-world climate solutions.