Research Assistant III Non-Lab (Research Project and Data Assistant)

Job Description

Job Summary:

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.

The HCPDS is seeking a full-time, experienced Research Assistant (RA) to support our field-based activities for its NIH-funded study, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the heath and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa. The goal of this research project is to explore aging in South Africa, with focal areas in cognitive health, cardiometabolic disease, HIV and HIV treatment, public policies, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. Research focuses on exploring the interrelationships between: Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; physical and cognitive functioning; lifestyle risk factors; household income & expenditure; depression and mental health; social networks and family composition; HIV infection; and cardiometabolic disease.

HAALSA is currently in its fourth year of the grant period, which includes continuation of the community cohort study as well as the launch of a nationally representative survey in South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth focus on cognition and dementia. 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. HAALSA is led by Dr. Lisa Berkman at HCPDS and Dr. Thomas Gaziano at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, plus a team of collaborators at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape town in South Africa, as well as other institutions in South Africa and the US.

The RA will support research procedures and data management for the overall HAALSA and the HAALSA-HCAP studies. 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. The RA will work closely with the HAALSA Project Director, as well as collaborators in South Africa and the US.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

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

• Process (e.g., receiving electronically collected data), organize (e.g., merging and creating analytic datasets), summarize (e.g., generating summary statistics using Stata or similar software), and analyze data (e.g., conducting basic regression analyses using Stata or similar software)
• Support tracking of HAALSA and HAALSA-HCAP project fieldwork progress, helping to ensure benchmarks are met and timelines are followed.
• Assist with the setup and maintenance of logistical aspects of the projects (e.g., study protocol training, document management, and data collection systems).
• Support training of the field-based study team, including preparing training materials, organizing study binders, and assisting with evaluation of field staff prior to fieldwork.
• Follow and help implement standard operating procedure (SOP) documents to ensure protocols are adhered to.
• Assist with the standardization and streamlining of data collection and reporting, ensuring data quality and adherence to ethical standards.
• Support with the preparation of HAALSA and HAALSA-HCAP datasets and codebooks for public release.
• Assist with scoring neuropsychological tests to evaluate reliability and create summary measures.
• Organize and track processes related to the translation of study surveys and tools.
• Oversee licensing requests for cognitive assessment tools.
• Help coordinate remote dementia diagnostic consensus meetings
• Assist in the preparation of slides and presentations.
• Collate, organize, draft, and/or edit materials for research papers, manuscripts, progress reports, articles, and other documents for publication or presentation, with the opportunity for co-authorship.
• Communicate and collaborate with affiliated research personnel at other institutions, including the field team in South Africa.
• Support coordination with South African counterparts to track study progress and monitor participant recruitment and compliance.
• Support collaboration with HAALSI project investigators and the study team on scientific analyses.
• Learn and apply new research methods or software as project needs evolve.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of May 31, 2027.

PLEASE NOTE: Short-listed candidates may be required to take a data skills assessment as well as submit a writing sample.

PLEASE NOTE: Possible travel to South Africa for short durations up to twice a year may be required.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 3+ years of related experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
• Experience with statistical software such as STATA (strongly preferred), R, SAS, and/or other statistical software is required

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree in global public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, psychology or related field strongly preferred
• Prior experience with clinical trials, observational studies; experience working on NIH studies; Institutional Review Board ethics protocol preparation; prior management and/or capacity building experience
• Experience in working with complex longitudinal data sets such as HRS, SHARE, and related international sister studies, etc.
• Demonstrable interest in research related to aging, learning and memory, or cognitive neuroscience.
• Previous experience with cognitive testing
• International work or travel experience
• Demonstrated experience with research project management
• 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
• Experience working well independently as well as cooperatively within a team while also being able to take initiative
• Experience with STATA (strongly preferred), R, or SAS
• Experience using MS Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Dropbox

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: May 31, 2027
• 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, Criminal

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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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.

Work Format Details

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