Associate Research Director

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the PI, Matthew K. Nock, the Associate Research Director (ARD) is responsible for program management, research management, and operational needs of the Nock Lab in the Department of Psychology.

The Nock Lab’s primary research goal is to understand why people engage in behaviors that are harmful to themselves and to translate the knowledge gained into better methods for assessing and treating harmful behaviors. The research is multi-disciplinary and uses a range of complementary methodological approaches (e.g., epidemiologic surveys, laboratory-based experiments, clinic-based studies, and real-time monitoring) to better understand how these behaviors develop, how to predict them, and how to prevent their occurrence.

This position will oversee research teams and the execution of research projects along with the PI, who will own the intellectual agenda. The ARD will act as a liaison between the lab, external research collaborators, and relevant internal offices (e.g., grants, IRB) to ensure that competing priorities line up with the lab’s intellectual agenda and schedule of deliverables.

Auto req ID

61884BR

Job Code

RS0058 Senior Researcher I

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Associate Research Director

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

058

Time Status

Full-time

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in clinical psychology or closely related field
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in clinical psychology research or closely related field (education beyond Master’s may count toward experience)

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strong scientific background, ideally with a PhD in clinical psychology
• Relevant work experience managing complex research projects
• Refined project management skills
• Proven record of strong leadership skills
• Strong understanding of research methods and protocols
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally with diverse constituency.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work across teams and with a variety of projects.

Additional Information

This is a grant funded two-year term position with the possibility of renewal contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance.

We regret that Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Department

Psychology

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Job Function

Research

Position Description

This position will work with the research teams on experiments, surveys, data collection, and data analysis, while managing relationships with funders and collaborators. The ARD will have a broad range of duties falling into two main categories: program management/operations and research management.

With supervision and general direction from the PI, this individual will oversee significant portions of the research, identify issues through consultation with partner organizations, manage the execution of work plans, oversee projects, and represent the lab at meetings, conferences, and workshops in alignment with the PI’s priorities.

Program Management

• Manages relationships with funders and partners, writes monthly and quarterly reports for funders, and ensures deliverables are met.
• Supports all aspects of the PI's mission in research, teaching, and public outreach.
• Responds to internal/external inquiries and represents the lab as directed by the PI.
• Manages program details and operations in close coordination with PI, including defining requirements, ensuring adequate resources, establishing timelines, evaluating and revising project plans, and advising on project issues.
• Manages personnel for PI’s research group (including postdocs, research scholars, graduate students, HUCTW RAs, undergraduate RAs, other trainees, and visitors).
• Conducts searches for research scholars, including hiring and onboarding them in collaboration with the PI and departmental administration.
• Creates business processes, trains lab members, and oversees day-to-day operations of the lab.
• Assists in planning and facilitating lab meetings, making recommendations and pertinent changes to program content and objectives.
• Communicates lab needs to Faculty Support Staff to ensure timely lab purchases, reimbursements, and other financial tasks.
• Works with the Business Office and Faculty Support Staff as needed to ensure timely and accurate financial reports to inform PI decision-making and ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures

Research Management

• Aids in implementation of complex research projects for the Nock Lab.
• Manages day-to-day operation of research projects.
• Instructs lab personnel in laboratory techniques, explains and demonstrates research methodologies, and ensures that established research procedures are followed.
• Keeps up-to-date on advances in the field, provides input on ideas and project direction, while driving project milestones.
• Manages all aspects of quality assurance, compliance, and regulatory activities that apply to the lab’s research, including data security, IRB requirements, funding restrictions, etc.
• Identifies and recruits research subjects. Develops interview procedures and conducts interviews with research participants with mental disorders.
• Collects and screens data and conducts literature reviews.
• Participates in writing pre-award grant proposals and reports to funding agencies.
• Processes, organizes, summarizes, and analyzes data, reporting research results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications (MS Word, Excel, R).
• Writes and collaborates with other researchers on manuscripts, abstracts, and other publications of research findings
• Presents research results and represents the lab at meetings, workshops, or conferences, domestically and/or internationally.

Contributes to unit goals by undertaking other duties as required.

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• 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.
• 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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)