Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USASchool/Unit: Harvard Kennedy SchoolDepartment: Bloomberg Center for CitiesAppointment Type: Full-time, two-year term (renewable)Salary Grade: 057 | FLSA Status: Exempt The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University invites applications for a full-time Senior Research Associate position within the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative (BHCLI). This position offers a unique opportunity for a Ph.D.-level researcher to contribute to pioneering work at the intersection of public management, leadership, and urban governance. About the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Established in 2017, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative represents a collaboration between Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Initiative equips mayors and senior city officials around the world with evidence-based tools and frameworks to address complex urban challenges and enhance residents’ quality of life. Through a blend of research, teaching, and practice, BHCLI advances the field of city leadership by developing new knowledge, building capacity among city leaders, and engaging Harvard graduate students in applied research and fieldwork. The Initiative’s efforts focus on strengthening public sector performance, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving within cities. Position Overview The Senior Research Associate will join a dynamic interdisciplinary research team led by Professor Jorrit de Jong (Faculty Director) and Dr. Quinton Mayne (Senior Director of Research). The successful candidate will co-design and implement research projects that generate actionable insights for practitioners while producing high-impact academic publications. This role is ideally suited for a scholar with expertise in public management, organizational behavior, or urban studies who is passionate about advancing the understanding of how cities can build institutional capacity, improve performance, and innovate in governance and service delivery. Key Responsibilities Lead and Co-Design Research: Collaborate with faculty and research staff to shape research questions, design studies, and develop analytical strategies aligned with the Initiative’s goals. Implement Research Activities: Conduct survey and field experiments, perform data collection, execute power analyses, and manage pre-registration and IRB compliance. Data Analysis and Management: Support data cleaning, statistical analysis, and interpretation using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Supervision and Coordination: Recruit, train, and supervise student research assistants; coordinate multi-stakeholder research projects and partnerships with cities and other institutions. Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with survey vendors, city partners, and other research collaborators to ensure the smooth execution of studies. Publication and Dissemination: Draft, revise, and prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals; present findings at academic conferences and practitioner forums. Research Administration: Maintain documentation for research ethics compliance, data-use agreements, and security protocols. Travel: Participate in domestic and international travel as required for data collection, partnership engagement, and presentation of research outputs. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: Ph.D. (or near completion) in relevant fields such as public administration, political science, economics, organizational behavior, social psychology, urban studies, or related disciplines. Additional Qualifications: Demonstrated engagement in theories of organizational capacity, policy implementation, innovation, and social impact. Proven record of conducting original empirical research using quantitative, qualitative, and experimental methods (e.g., survey experiments, field randomized controlled trials). Proficiency in statistical software such as R or Stata (Python experience is an asset). Strong writing skills with evidence of scholarly publication or an active research pipeline. Experience supervising research assistants and managing collaborative research projects. Familiarity with research ethics protocols, pre-registration, and pre-analysis plans. Excellent communication and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams. Appointment Details This position is a two-year term appointment through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding. The role is based on campus in Cambridge, MA, with potential flexibility for partial remote work upon approval. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Pre-employment screening will include verification of identity and education credentials. Benefits Harvard University offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote the physical, mental, and financial well-being of its employees. Benefits include: Generous paid time off, including parental leave. Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on the first day of employment. Retirement plans with university contributions. Wellbeing and mental health resources. Tuition assistance, training, and professional development opportunities. Family and caregiver support programs. Commuter benefits and on-campus discounts. For more information, visit the Harvard Benefits & Wellbeing page. Application Instructions Applicants are invited to submit: Curriculum Vitae (CV) Two writing samples Contact details for at least two academic or professional references The review of applications will begin on November 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Equal Opportunity Commitment Harvard University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Harvard strives to ensure that every member of its community can thrive in an environment of respect, equity, and belonging. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. 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