Job Description

Job Summary
The mission of the Health Buildings Program is to improve the lives of all people, in buildings and beyond, everywhere, every day. Our program aims to harness the power of research, business collaboration, and common-sense messaging to advance solutions for public health within the built environment. Do you want to help us spread the word about the Healthy Buildings movement and assist the team in translating the latest research into user-friendly tools, guides, and other resources? We are a diverse team from various backgrounds and fields, sharing the passion for improving the health and well-being of people and our planet.

We\xe2\x80\x99re looking for a passionate and creative communicator and researcher to join our team as a full-time Research Assistant position with the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Responsibilities will focus on communications (approx. 50%) and research support (50%).
Position Description
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to, the following:

Communications:
Works with the Communications Manager to create awareness for the team\'s research and engage target groups through inspiring stories and creative forms of communication. Collaborates with different researchers to identify opportunities for appealing stories and translate results into engaging content for broad audiences. Conducts monthly web and social media analytics reports for data-driven improvement of messaging and communications channels. Organizes and manages video productions, drafts posts, and other written forms of content aligned with research teams and graphic design agency. Assists in event and webinar planning and feels comfortable welcoming and engaging with different stakeholders. Responsible for monitoring and sustaining the team\xe2\x80\x99s communications channels (websites, social media, print products).

Research support:
Under specific direction, performs a variety of general non-laboratory research and clerical tasks determined by the field and scope of the particular research study. For more information on our research, visit forhealth.org. Works with different research teams in collecting, processing, and organizing project data and reporting results. May assist in the design of experiments and tests. Performs clerical duties related to research tasks, literature reviews, data analysis, data synthesis, and report writing. Overall, performs other duties as required.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of 2 years from date of hire with the possibility of extension. This is a hybrid position and this position will be based in Boston, MA. Additional detail pertaining to this position will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, California (exempt staff only), Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington).
Basic Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered.

Additional Qualifications and Skills
The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Bachelor\'s or master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• At least one year of related work experience (relevant coursework may count towards experience).
• Experience in communicating with diverse audiences and digital/social media
• Capabilities as a strong writer and storyteller
• Experience in writing and editing news articles, blog posts, social media copies, and/or other forms of written content
• Examples of producing high-quality content for digital communication platforms
• Knowledge of web content management systems (e.g., WordPress) is a plus
• Knowledge of basic movie editing and/or graphic design skills is a plus
• Experience and/or background in building energy analysis and modeling, energy systems modeling, and/or public health
• Knowledge of basic research methods and statistical techniques
• Ambition and drive to create creative forms of content and bring research to broad audiences and stakeholders
• Ambition and drive to do research and teachability is desired mentorship and resources will be provided to acquire project-specific skills
• Interpersonal, analytical, and written and verbal communication skills
• Works well independently with minimal supervision
• High interest in public health and sustainability topics

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information
Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

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Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University\xe2\x80\x99s COVID-19 Information Website.



Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard\xe2\x80\x99s 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.

Job Function
Research
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Boston
Job Code
403113 Research Assistant II Non-Lab
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Department
Environmental Health - Environmental Exposure and Risk Program
Sub-Unit
-
Time Status
Full-time
Salary Grade
053
Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Pre-Employment Screening
Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School\xe2\x80\x99s mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
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.