65618BRAuto req ID:65618BRJob Code:403117 Research Assistant III Non-Lab Department Office Location:USA - MA - Cambridge Business Title:Research Assistant III Non-Lab (Research Project and Data Assistant)Sub-Unit:------------ Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :054Time Status:Full-time Union:55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers Basic Qualifications:

• 3+ years of related experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered

• Experience with statistical softwares such as STATA (strongly preferred), R, SAS, and/or other statistical softwares is required

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

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in global public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, psychology or related field strongly preferred

• Experience with data collection and management in a research setting

• Demonstrated experience with research project coordination

• International work/travel experience

• Experience in working with complex longitudinal data sets such as HRS, SHARE, and related international sister studies or experience working on NIH studies

• Prior oversight of teams and/or capacity building experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Culturally sensitive with excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate team-based work and interaction with research. participants

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Works well independently as well as cooperatively within a team while also being able to take initiative

• An interest in lifecourse, aging, or dementia research is a plus

  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!

• 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.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Department:Center for Population and Development StudiesPre-Employment Screening:Criminal, IdentityJob Function:Research Position Description: Under minimal supervision, the RA will support research procedures and data management for the overall HAALSA project with a specific focus on the HCAP. The position will require high level of attention to detail in data management, strong communication skills, and multitasking and prioritization. The RA must work independently as well as within a team.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor HAALSA-HCAP project fieldwork progress, helping to ensure benchmarks are reached and timelines adhered to

• Assist with scoring neuropsychological tests to evaluate reliability, and creating summary measures

• Organize and track processes related to translation of study surveys and tools

• Oversee licensing requests for cognitive assessment tools

• Communicate and collaborate with affiliated research personnel at other locations or institutions, including the field team in South Africa

• Prepare HAALSA- HCAP datasets and codebooks for public release

• Collate, organize, draft and/or edit material for the preparation of research papers, manuscripts, progress reports, articles or other documents for publication and/or presentation with the view to being a co-author on such papers

• Assist with logistics related to survey launches and field staff trainings

• Assist in assessment or judgment of data validity

• Provide administrative project support by way of coordinating team meetings and calls, assisting with study documentation and SOPs, helping with submission to Harvard and Wits IRBs

• Learn new research methods or new software as needs for the project arise

• Perform other duties as assigned

  PLEASE NOTE: Short-listed candidates may be required to take a data skills assessment. The position is based in Cambridge, MA with a hybrid schedule of 2-3 days a week on site (specific days and schedule will be determined with the RA's supervisor). This position starts in summer 2024 and has a 1-year term appointment from date of hire with the possibility of extension. Travel to South Africa up to two times per year for 2 weeks in durations, may be required.

  The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies participates in the University’s Green Office Program and is committed to creating a more sustainable, healthy workplace. Our vision is rooted in our shared responsibility to build and operate a campus that contributes to the well-being of every member of our community—and ultimately to the health of the planet. For more information, see the https://green.harvard.edu/campaign/our-plan

  School/Unit:Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 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.Job Summary: We are seeking a full-time Research Project and Data Assistant to support ongoing studies of cognitive aging and dementia in South Africa. Our work aims to understand how cognitive function in older age is shaped by biological aging and lifespan social experience. We use a variety of methods to tackle issues related to reliable measurement of cognitive function across countries and cultures. The work is grounded in our ongoing NIH-funded flagship project, Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study in South Africa (HAALSA). The HAALSA study team examines the biological, social, and economic factors and public policies that interact to influence the course of major diseases and disorders among older adults in South Africa, including dementia and cognitive decline, cardiometabolic disease, and HIV. HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa, where the study team has completed three waves of survey and biomarker data collection. HAALSA has recently been renewed for the next 5-year period, which will include continuation of our community cohort study in Agincourt, as well as the launch of the first nationally representative longitudinal HAALSA survey across South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth cognitive assessment focused on the epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in HAALSA . 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.

  Under minimal supervision, the Research Project and Data Assistant will support HAALSA and HAALSA-HCAP research procedures and data management. The position will require high level of attention to detail in data management, and strong communication, multitasking, prioritization skills.

  Candidates are asked to visit the project and HCPDS websites for more information.

  https://haalsi.org/

  https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population-development/

  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’s mission, objectives, and core values (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/) , our Principles of Citizenship (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/) , and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/diversity/) initiatives. Benefits: We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) 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) LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-SL1Work Format Details: This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. 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. About Us: 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.