Job Opening: Staff Assistant III (Faculty Assistant)

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 vital societies.

Job Summary

We seek a Faculty Assistant (FA) to join our inclusive, upbeat, and integrated administrative team whose function is to support our mission and the work of our researchers. In this role, the successful candidate is responsible for a wide range of administrative duties for Harvard Chan School Professors Laura Kubzansky and SV Subramanian. The FA will also provide general support for HCPDS seminars and projects, plus backup for the office manager.

This is a full-time, one-year term appointment starting summer 2024 (preferably July 15) with likelihood of renewal.

This role is offered as a hybrid (combination of onsite and remote) where the FA is required to be onsite a minimum of 2 days/week in Cambridge, MA. Candidates are asked to visit the HCPDS website for more information on our mission and work: www.hsph.harvard.edu/cpds

Specific duties related to assistance for Professors Kubzansky and Subramanian

  • Provide strategic and thoughtful management of their respective calendars including scheduling in-person and remote appointments, confirming availability of meeting participants, booking space, sending reminders, and proactively troubleshooting scheduling conflicts. Assist with agenda preparation. Periodically may be required to take meeting notes.
  • Update CVs, publications’ list, bibliographies, and other standard biographical documents needed for grant submissions, reports, and faculty profile web pages. Assist with Endnotes and other bibliography programs.
  • Compose, edit, and manage correspondence including editing and submitting reference letters and responding to cold inquiries.
  • Prepare expense reports and assist with monthly expense reconciliation.
    Coordinate travel including booking flights and hotel.
  • Provide various admin support for Prof Kubzansky and Prof Subramanian’s grant proposals and specific research projects.

Specific duties related to HCPDS general assistance

  • Assist the HCPDS program team with planning and execution of multiple seminars and events, as well assist the communications coordinator with website updating and social media posts.
  • Provide support for the center’s graduate student affiliate program which can include planning events, workshops, and corresponding/meeting with the students.
    Share front-desk responsibilities including answering main line, plus greeting and directing visitors and vendors.
  • As time allows, perform administrative tasks related to Center-wide team building events (lunches, annual outing), grant submissions, and special projects (e.g. researching new software platforms to test).
  • Perform other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of 1 year from date of hire with the possibility of extension.

PLEASE NOTE: Please submit both a resume and cover letter when applying. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered.

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of relevant experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
  • Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred or an equivalent of education plus relevant business experience with strong customer service and communication skills—both verbal and written
  • Professional experience using Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in a Mac OS environment as well as Office 365 collaboration tools (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.)
  • Previous experience in academia preferred
  • Experience working with/supporting faculty, staff, and related stakeholders preferred
  • Experience with Endnote, Qualtrics, and WordPress (or similar) preferred
  • High level of independent judgment, initiative, discretion, collegiality, professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail
  • Effectively able to prioritize work for multiple supervisors
  • Experience with triaging and prioritizing of time-sensitive tasks and communications. Must excel at meeting deadlines
  • The ideal candidate will be flexible, warm, and enthusiastic

Application Process

This position is posted on the Harvard Jobs website. If you have any questions, please email Laura Price, Deputy Director at lprice@hsph.harvard.edu