Research Group Coordinator

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Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

The Research Group Coordinator provides specialized, high-level administrative support to faculty and research teams within Human Evolutionary Biology, managing financial transactions, operational coordination, and compliance tasks to support complex global research activities. Serving as the primary administrative liaison, this role significantly reduces the administrative burden on faculty, enabling a stronger focus on teaching and research. The coordinator operates independently, handling various responsibilities including financial processing, vendor management, and international field research logistics.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

20%

• Serves as principal administrative contact for faculty, researchers, and students in the lab on daily administrative lab activities including business operations, purchasing/procurement, shipping, compliance, electronic document organizing, etc. 
• Provides information on applicable University policies and procedures, such as reimbursement deadlines, travel policy, etc. to ensure compliance.

20%

• Provides general administrative assistance to lab members such as travel, conference registration, reimbursement, etc. 
• Assists with planning events, including lab retreats, seminars, and conferences hosted by faculty and receiving of visitors/guests. 
• May negotiate with vendors as needed. 

20%

• Uses Harvard financial systems to process financial transactions, such as purchasing supplies and/or equipment, reimbursements for travel, invoice payments, corporate card payments, purchasing card transactions. 
• Manages transactional activities for internal and external vendors (incl. vendor set-up). 

10%

• Supports lab related functions as needed, including material transfers, equipment inventory, asset tagging, and lab safety concerns as needed. 

10%

• Coordinates scheduling and logistics for meetings (including catering when appropriate), visitors, tours, appointments, and travel. 

10%

• Participates in team meetings and trainings; provides back-up to other labs as needed. 
• Accomplishes related duties and takes on new responsibilities in response to changing office needs; other duties as assigned. 

5%

• Reviews PI Dashboard, maintains financial documentation, provides information, research, statistics, and analysis. 
• Makes decisions on expenditures and monitors towards a defined budget. 

5%

• Prepares appointments (including Harvard Sponsored Roles) for incoming lab members, including paperwork for visa information data sheets, and may assist with onboarding and orientating new lab members (including liaising with IT for access, internal lab filesharing and communication access, lab safety officer), building access. 

Working Conditions:

• Work is typically performed in a shared office space and may offer some hybrid flexibility as directed by FAS. 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 25 lbs. 

Basic Qualifications:

• 5 years of related experience 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The ideal candidate for this role embodies a growth mindset and is energized by the opportunity to collaborate across the department in support of the academic and scientific research mission. Additionally, they bring a strong desire to be an engaged community member within HEB, contributing to a dynamic and supportive environment that fosters both personal and collective growth. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Progressive experience in an academic, research, or related organization; experience with Harvard systems is a plus. 
• Exceptional commitment to customer service, plus excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to work with interruptions, adapt to change, and respond quickly to last-minute requests 
• Prior work experiences that called for independent initiative, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision, make appropriate adjustments to workflow, and problem-solve. 
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, follow-through, and dependability are essential. 
• Ability to establish effective working relationships across all levels. 
• Competency using a variety of computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Adobe Suite and Zoom. 
• Must possess the ability to learn and adapt to new systems quickly, including emerging office technologies and communication tools. 
• Experience with updating websites. 

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information: All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

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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 054. 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.