Research Assistant II Non-Lab

Job Summary

The Center for Work, Health, and Well-being (the Center), in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, conducts research and disseminates research findings related to workplace practices, policies, and programs that protect and promote worker safety, health, and well-being. The Center is a CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Total Worker Health® Center of Excellence.

This Research Assistant (RA) reports directly to the Center Associate Director, Dr. Susan Peters, who is also the Co-Principal Investigator of the Residential Staff Health and Advancement Program for Excellence in Care (Re-SHAPE) project. The Re-SHAPE project is a Center affiliated study.

This position will provide essential support and contributions to the Re-SHAPE project, an intervention study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that aims to improve the well-being and retention of workers in residential addiction treatment facilities by adapting and implementing an evidence-based participatory organizational intervention.

The central premise of this study is that addressing stressful working conditions within residential addiction treatment centers will improve workforce retention and patient care, with effects mediated by improved worker well-being, thereby enhancing the availability, quality, and continuity of care for patients.

The research team will implement an evidence-based, participatory organizational intervention that provides training, an intervention toolkit, and technical assistance to implement a continual improvement process in which a worker-manager committee identifies stressful working conditions and then develops and implements action plans to address high-priority concerns.

The project is a partnership of multiple academic institutions – Boston College, Harvard University, Washington University in St. Louis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology – and the Workforce Development Unit of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This Research Assistant position is funded through the Harvard T.H.

Chan School of Public Health Center for Work, Health, and Well-being Emerging Issues program.

From September 2026 through August 2027, the study team will be piloting the intervention and associated data collection procedures at three residential addiction treatment facilities in eastern and central Massachusetts. The RA’s primary role will be to assist the Boston College-based project manager with intervention delivery and data collection.

The RA will assist with finalizing recruitment materials and data collection materials (process tracking forms, data collection tools and protocols). Once the pilot period begins in October 2026, the work will involve close collaboration with the project manager who will be delivering the intervention.

The RA will set up meetings with facilities, travel to facilities alongside the project manager, attend committee meetings at intervention facilities and take notes, help manage survey and process data collection, serve as an alternate interventionist if the project manager is unavailable, provide technical assistance to facilities who are receiving the intervention, and assist with other project-related tasks as needed.

The RA will also help adjust intervention materials and data collection tools, as needed, throughout the intervention pilot period.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

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

Research Tasks

• Participate as a member of the study team to pilot the intervention and associated data collection procedures at residential addiction treatment facilities
• Develop required materials for the pilot study
• Assist with preparing, adjusting, and finalizing intervention data collection materials (process tracking forms, data collection tools and protocols)
• Assist the project manager with intervention delivery and data collection
• Help manage survey, administrative, and process data collection, data entry, and data management
• Update the intervention manual and resources throughout the pilot
• Assist with finalizing intervention materials as a result of the pilot study for a full trial.
• Assist with post pilot interviews and focus groups, qualitative data collection, qualitative data management, and coding of transcripts

• Assist with literature reviews for papers and citation management
• Assist with other project-related tasks as needed
• Administrative Tasks

• Coordinate and schedule meetings with study sites and other study stakeholders
• Travel to intervention sites based in Massachusetts for intervention activities and data collection

• Provide logistical and administrative support to the study team
• Attend and present study updates at study team meetings
• Assist study team with other project-related tasks as needed

Please Note

This position has a term appointment of August 31, 2027 with the possibility of extension.

Please Note

This is a hybrid position that will involve regular (at least weekly) in-state travel to addiction treatment facilities in eastern and central Massachusetts, as well as weekly research team meetings at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed if intervention delivery activities or meetings with external stakeholders are held during these times.

Basic Qualifications

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

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in public health, social work, or a related field, or a Bachelor’s degree plus multiple years of relevant research project experience
• At least 1-2 years of related work experience in an academic research center or as part of a research study (relevant coursework may count toward experience)

Familiarity with this study’s population (workers at addiction treatment centers) is preferred

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe programs
• Proficiency in Canva is preferred. RedCAP proficiency is highly preferred
• Willingness to travel to different addiction treatment facilities in eastern and central Massachusetts
• Strong interest in public health intervention delivery, community-based research, worker well-being, and research project management and administration
• Interest in, and understanding of, addiction services delivery and substance use disorder treatment
• Strong verbal, writing, editing, and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, kindness, and aptitude for building rapport with community partners working at addiction treatment facilities
• Attention to detail; time management and organizational skills; experience balancing multiple tasks; efficiently and effectively work remotely
• Team player and also willing to work independently as part of a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institution team; willingness to develop new skills to meet the needs of the position
• A demonstrated aptitude for working with minimal supervision, at times under tight deadlines
• Additional Information: Appointment End Date: August 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

• 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.

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.

Pay and benefits

This position is salary grade level 053. 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

Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and about the Dean’s AAA vision about our school’s ongoing strategic initiatives.