Research Assistant

Harvard University; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

The Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning (EASEL) Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education seeks a full-time Research Assistant to support large-scale SEL research projects and data management. You will contribute to multi-site studies, analyze data, and help prepare reports for partners and funders.

Under the leadership of Professor Stephanie M. Jones, the role involves data synthesis, manuscript support, and collaboration with educators and policymakers.

Qualifications

• This position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, demonstrable initiative, ability to work independently, and strong interpersonal and administrative skills. A deep understanding of SEL program data and child development research, and a high capacity to plan and organize is required.
• Master’s degree in human development or education
• Experience working with school-based data and child development research
• Familiarity with social-emotional developmental literature and SEL programs
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Commitment to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines
• Willingness and flexibility to collaborate with team members on diverse project tasks
• The ideal candidate will have experience working in international education contexts.

Responsibilities

• Create comprehensive implementation reports for a large-scale, multi-year randomized trial of SEL Kernels in afterschool settings across Nebraska.
• Create comprehensive implementation reports for a multi-year, multi-site study of SEL Kernels during a National Rollout across primary schools in Ukraine.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data from school- and community-based partnerships.
• Synthesize findings and prepare reports for internal teams, funders, and policymakers.
• Support writing for academic audiences and other stakeholders.
• Assist with publications, literature reviews, and reference lists.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in human development or education

Tools

SPSS

R

Job 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 Graduate School of Education?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.

Job Summary

The Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning (EASEL) Lab, led by Professor Stephanie M. Jones, seeks a full‑time Research Assistant to support our team in the Human Development and Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The EASEL Lab explores the effects of high‑quality social and emotional interventions on the development and achievement of children, youth, teachers, parents, and communities. Our projects aim to advance the field of social and emotional learning through research, practice, and policy.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Create comprehensive implementation reports for a large scale, multi‑year, multi‑site randomized control trial of SEL Kernels in afterschool settings across Nebraska.
• Create comprehensive implementation reports for a multi‑year, multi‑site study of SEL Kernels during a National Rollout across primary schools in Ukraine.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data collected in school‑and community‑based partnerships.
• Synthesize findings and prepare reports for internal team members as well as for program partners, funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Support writing for various audiences (academic, media, funders, others).
• Support the publication process (conduct literature reviews for book chapters and journal articles, prepare reference lists, respond to feedback from reviewers, etc.).
• Support other research team activities, as needed.

Basic Qualifications

Minimum 3 years of related experience. Degree may count toward experience. Must be familiar with SEL programs and research. Experience with data management and data analysis, and experience interpreting and communicating data for diverse stakeholders including educators, policymakers, and the research/academic community.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• This position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, demonstrable initiative, ability to work independently, and strong interpersonal and administrative skills. A deep understanding of SEL program data and child development research, and a high capacity to plan and organize is required.
• A master’s degree in human development or education
• Experience working with school‑based data and child development research
• Familiarity with social‑emotional developmental literature and SEL programs
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Commitment to produce high‑quality work under tight deadlines
• Willingness and flexibility to collaborate with team members on diverse project tasks
• The ideal candidate will have experience working in international education contexts.

Schedule and Compensation Details

• Appointment End Date: 5/28/2027
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity

Additional details about work format, salary grade and ranges, and employment policies are outlined above. Salary Grade and Ranges – This position is salary grade level 053. 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.