Project Director/Senior Researcher, Project on Israel

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Harvard Business School (HBS) seeks a Project Director/Senior Researcher to oversee a Project on Israel led by Professors Paul Gompers and Raffaella Sadun. Israel is often held up for its entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovative reskilling investments, emerging from both public sector and private sector policies and choices. The Project on Israel in the Regional and Global Economy aims to launch and execute high-quality research projects to identify the critical elements that enable global startups to succeed and the structure of transformative reskilling efforts. In addition, the research seeks to outline policies that can promote the replicability of these efforts in other regional and international contexts. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in the startup ecosystem, innovation, and reskilling within Israel.

The Project Director/Senior Researcher reports directly to their faculty supervisor and an administrative manager in the Research Staff Services office. Ideal Project Director/Senior Researcher candidates will be comfortable in an environment that requires a high level of independence and intellectual curiosity and the ability to use discretionary judgment. 

Primary duties include:

• Create, launch, and manage project research agenda in coordination with Professors Gompers and Sadun, including forging research partnerships with local academics, institutions, and business leaders.
• Oversee the work of two Research Associates assigned to this workflow. 
• Manage the organization and execution of in-person events and conferences involving international guests including faculty and business leaders.
• Ensure compliance with department, University, and federal regulations. Be aware of department, School, and University policies as well as any potential outside research policies.  Represent HBS to outside entities: interacting with prominent individuals (grace under pressure is essential). 
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• A masters degree in economics or related disciplines, PhD, MBA, JD, etc. with at least 5 years relevant work experience is required.
• Experience in large-scale quantitative research and experimental methods is preferred.

Additional Qualifications: 

• Experience managing others and successfully working as part of a research team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively present information in a range of ways and to varied audiences.
• Proven ability to prioritize and successfully manage several programs, projects and stakeholders at a time while adhering to deadlines, working independently, showing initiative and communicating regularly and succinctly with senior staff, managers, and partners. 
• Proven critical and strategic-thinking qualities, sound judgment, flexibility, and creative problem-solving essential.
• The candidate must have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organization skills, and absolute commitment to task completion.
• Candidates with more years of experience may be considered at a higher salary grade (58).

Appointment End Date: This is a term appointment starting fall 2025 through June 30, 2026, with an expectation of reappointment based on funding and performance. All Project Director/Senior Researcher roles at HBS are structured as one-year term appointments, but faculty strongly prefer candidates willing to commit for two years.

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Education, Identity

Other Information:

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

The recruiting process is rolling. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, now through spring. Candidates with external deadlines should notify the recruiter as soon as possible.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role. A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. All candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample and transcript. 

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. 

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. 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, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.