Research Translation Associate Jobs

This role will report to the Director of Research Translation and Strategic Initiatives and will indirectly report to OI Founding Director, Raj Chetty. The role will be responsible for content creation (written materials, data visualizations, research presentations, etc.), presentation preparation, and support for other initiatives to translate OI research to its various audiences (e.g., researchers, academics, policy and program leaders, etc.). This individual must be an experienced science writer, skilled data communicator, and skilled in and enthusiastic about working across varied and dynamic projects. This role will work closely with research teams (and must have a clear understanding and enthusiasm for the research) but will not conduct research.

Materials development and communication of original research

• Fields inquiries and email correspondence and serves as a technical resource on inbound data- and research-related questions
• Develops a range of original research materials including: technical and non-technical research summaries, congressional testimony, grant reports, website content. Informational research handouts, and research presentations

Preparation for major presentations, meetings and communications

• Prepares for speaking engagements, including assembling slides, conducting due diligence on requests, and preparing briefs on events/agendas/attendees
• Serves as primary contact for answering inquiries and managing speaking engagement requests for Prof. Chetty (intake, prep, communication)
• Reviews, assesses, routes, answers and monitors follow-up action on correspondence
• Facilitates communication with team, external and university contacts including drafting substantive responses to inquiries

Course Development and Other Special Projects

• Supports Prof. Chetty’s course development efforts within and outside of Harvard, including maintenance and updates to existing online course content
• Provides support for other special projects and strategic initiatives related to research translation and policy engagement efforts

Organizational Support

• As needed, serves as a back-up for administrative staff on matters pertaining to event and meeting management, building support, and administrative support for Prof. Chetty (including email support, travel arrangements, and calendar management)

• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in quantitative research, social science writing, and data communications
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field required

SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS

• Master’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated experience with project management and handling dynamic projects with multiple collaborators
• Demonstrated ability in materials development; excellent ability in written communication and data visualization for academic, policy, and lay-person audiences
• Comfort working with data for descriptive analyses and to aggregate results for communication
• Strong data and scientific background with an ability to understand dataset construction, methods, and findings with nuance and to translate results with rigor and ease between academic and non-academic stakeholders
• Training and expertise in economics, statistics, and other social science research and methodological approaches used in OI’s work
• Familiarity with administrative functions and processes
• Excellent technical writing and data visualization skills and demonstrated abilities in materials development for technical and non-technical audiences

ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Must be a professional, proactive, creative, collaborative, and conscientious individual. Additional competencies include:

• Flexibility and the ability to handle multiple tasks accurately under deadline pressure
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to establish and promote good working relationships with colleagues, faculty, administrators, students, and vendors, and to handle confidential materials with discretion
• Team player – willing to contribute to collaborative culture
• Knowledge of the research topics and methodologies covered by OI preferred

Lifting up to 20lbs, computer processing, sitting, mobility within administrative offices and conference set-up needs.

This position is located in Cambridge, MA (Hybrid arrangements may be possible for this position.)

Occasional travel may be required.

In order to be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume must be submitted.
REQUIRED:

• A cover letter that describes your interests in this position and your experience and examples of when you have conveyed technical research or complex data analysis to non-technical audiences.
• Your resume/CV

OPTIONAL:

• One or two examples of prior work products (one-pagers, slides, visualizations, etc.) you have authored that translated complex research or analysis.

A skills assessment test will be required as part of the interview process.
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
This is a two-year term position with a strong likelihood of renewal.
All formal offers will be made by FAS HR.
Opportunity Insights is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization located at Harvard University that seeks to translate insights from rigorous, scientific research to policy change by harnessing the power of “big data” using an interdisciplinary approach.

• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.