Immediate Job Opening: Research Assistant (Research Assistant II, non-lab)
The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies.
The HCPDS is seeking a full-time, experienced Research Assistant (RA) to support our field-based activities for its NIH-funded study, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the heath and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa. The goal of this research project is to explore aging in South Africa, with focal areas in cognitive health, cardiometabolic disease, HIV and HIV treatment, public policies, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. Research focuses on exploring the interrelationships between: Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; physical and cognitive functioning; lifestyle risk factors; household income & expenditure; depression and mental health; social networks and family composition; HIV infection; and cardiometabolic disease.
The next phase of the HAALSA includes launching a nationally representative survey in South Africa as well as the continuation of the community cohort study. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth focus on cognition and dementia. The studies are designed to be aligned with the international Health and Retirement (HRS) sister studies, and the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), while also addressing research questions specific to aging in the South African context. HAALSA is led by Dr. Lisa Berkman at HCPDS and Dr. Thomas Gaziano at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, plus a team of collaborators at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape town in South Africa, as well as other institutions in South Africa and the United States.
The RA will support the needs of the study staff and investigators across projects related to research implementation, logistics, organization, and dissemination. The position will require a high level of attention to detail and ability to multi-task and prioritize. The role will primarily support HAALSA-related activities, with additional data compliance and research support responsibilities for the entire HCPDS (see specific responsibilities section).
This is a full-time term appointment starting early summer 2026 through May 31, 2027 with possibility of renewal. The job may require travel to South Africa for short durations up to twice a year. Candidates are asked to visit the project and HCPDS websites for more information.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide administrative and project support to the HAALSA study (60% effort), including organizing meetings with domestic and international partners; taking and circulating meeting minutes; and arranging travel for the team.
- Assist with logistics related to survey launches and field staff trainings.
- Perform literature reviews and assist in collating, organizing, and/or drafting materials for research papers, meetings, manuscripts, progress reports, and other documents for publication or presentation.
- Draft, revise, organize, and maintain standard operating procedure documents and codebooks.
- Assist with basic data cleaning and data organization tasks in collaboration with the Data Manager.
- Support project communications, including drafting content for the project website, social media, and blog posts.
- Serve as data compliance coordinator for HAALSA and the HCPDS overall (40% effort). This includes: assisting with IRB submissions and revisions; tracking study-related publications for grant reporting purposes; reviewing and processing Data Use Agreements (DUAs); serving as point of contact for the HCPDS’s DUAs (e.g. HRS, Eurostat, Add Health); communicating with data providers and users, establishing new user accounts; overseeing safe storage and destruction of data; maintaining necessary records; serving as the HCPDS liaison with FAS Research Computing (FASRC) that manages the Secure Environment (FASSE); managing the HCPDS’s datasets stored at Harvard Dataverse (the University’s major data repository); and monitoring and filing records of users and downloaders.
Perform other duties as required.
PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term end date of May 31, 2027 with possibility of renewal.
PLEASE NOTE: This position may require travel to South Africa for short durations up to twice a year.
Qualifications
- 2+ years of relevant experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Relevant & progressive administrative experience, preferably in a research or academic setting is strongly preferred. Scientific and/ or research background not required, but is preferred
- Experience using data statistical programming software, such as STATA or SAS
- Experience drafting data use agreements or IRB applications highly desirable
- Experience using MS Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive
- Demonstrated aptitude to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines
- Responsive to requests, and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Takes initiative and work well both independently and as a team member
- Culturally sensitive with excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate team-based work and work with international partners
- Interest in research related to public health, global health, aging societies, or cognition and dementia
- Comfortable traveling internationally
Application Process
This position is posted on the Harvard Careers website for internal candidates until May 11.
On May 12, external candidates will be able to apply.
Questions
Feel free to email Laura Price, Deputy Director. lprice@hsph.harvard.edu