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

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.