Behavioral Research Specialist

Job Summary: 

The Behavioral Research Specialist supports the development and implementation of behavioral research studies across lab, online, and field settings. Reporting to the Director of Behavioral Research Services and collaborating with faculty, doctoral students, research assistants, and research staff, this role has a primary focus on building, testing, and deploying studies in Qualtrics while supporting high-quality research implementation and participant experience.

This position is well suited for a detail-oriented individual with strong research and organizational skills, experience working with survey and research platforms, and interest in behavioral research methods and operations. The role requires the ability to execute research implementation tasks across multiple studies in a collaborative, service focused environment.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Survey & Experiment Development/Research Implementation 

• Build, test, and deploy surveys and behavioral research studies using Qualtrics and related research platforms
• Apply advanced Qualtrics functionality (e.g., randomization, loop and merge, embedded data, display logic, and integrations) to support complex study designs
• Support faculty and research staff in study setup, protocol implementation, survey flow refinement, protocol implementation, and participant experience considerations
• Conduct testing and quality review of surveys and research instruments prior to study launch
• Support implementation of behavioral studies across lab, online, and field research environments

Research Operations & Study Support 

• Maintain research documentation, operational records, shared team resources, and researcher-facing materials such as study guides, templates, and process documentation
• Support compliance with IRB protocols and human subjects research requirements
• Coordinate with internal partners, vendors, and online participant recruitment platforms to support study execution
• Stay current on relevant research tools and technologies and share useful updates and operational practices with the BRS team
• Support research workflow coordination using project tracking, financial tracking and participant management tools

Participant & Lab Operations 

• Support day-to-day operations of the BeLab, including study preparation, lab scheduling, run participants through study-specific protocols, technology setup, troubleshooting, and coordination with IT and Operations
• Recruit, maintain, and engage a diverse participant pool through approved outreach and communication strategies. Coordinate participant communications, reminders and inquiry responses.
• Support processing of participant payments and related operational tasks in accordance with university policies
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents
• Is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years of directly related and specific experience supporting behavioral research studies, research coordination, or related operational activities is required.
• Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) experience is a must.
• Experience supporting survey development, behavioral research studies, and participant management activities
• Proficiency with Qualtrics or similar survey platforms, including experience with survey logic, randomization, and embedded data features
• Experience with participant management and online participant recruitment platforms (e.g., Prolific, SONA, Cint, CloudResearch)
• Familiarity with scripting or programming languages that support survey functionality or research workflows
• Experience with IRB protocols and human subjects research compliance requirements

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree related to behavioral research required (e.g., psychology, economics, sociology, marketing, public policy) highly preferred
• Master’s degree or equivalent graduate training in a behavioral or social science field preferred
• Experience in research lab operations or academic research environments
• Familiarity with user experience considerations in survey or research study implementation
• Experience with participant outreach and engagement activities in research settings
• Interest in applying emerging tools (e.g., LLMs) relevant to behavioral research operations.
• Strong organizational skills and experience using project or task tracking tools

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week, overtime eligible position.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
• Other Information:
  • ​​​​​​This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • While this is a hybrid role, there are periods where daily on-campus presence is essential, and others where more flexibility is reasonable. On-site presence is required in full during any active data collection phases, and hours may vary based on project demands.  Overtime may be required.

  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.