Research Assistant III

Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) seeks applications for a research assistant to conduct quantitative and qualitative research on issues related to housing and aging.

Since its founding in 1959, JCHS has been a leader in advancing public understanding of housing issues and policy. Through its research, education, and public outreach programs, JCHS helps leaders in government, business, and the civic sectors make decisions that effectively address the needs of cities and communities. JCHS’s research on housing and aging aims to deepen understanding of the housing implications of aging populations and to advance policy, planning, design, and public health solutions to address the lack of suitable and affordable housing for older adults.

As a member of the JCHS Housing an Aging Society Program, and reporting to the research associate, the research assistant will conduct quantitative and qualitative research on topics related to housing and aging and will contribute to the Joint Center’s research products, communications, events, and other activities. The Center is a mission-driven organization that promotes a culture of collaboration, creativity, respect, diversity, and inclusion.

Position Description

• Carries out quantitative and qualitative research on topics related to housing and aging, including demographics and finances, housing affordability, housing policy, homeownership and rental housing, accessibility, supports for older adults at home and other connections between health and housing, and other research areas as needed pertaining to aging, housing, and wellbeing.
• Summarizes and compiles data through the statistical analysis of large-scale databases including the American Housing Survey, Decennial Census, Current Population Survey, Surveys of Consumer Finance, American Community Survey, and Health and Retirement Study. Conducting database management.
• Conducts policy analysis, research interviews, and reviews of practitioner, policy, and academic literatures.
• Participates in design of research methods and approaches, and serves as source of information or reference on specific research methods.
• Organizes material for reports, research briefs, and working papers. Drafts publications both independently and in collaboration with senior staff.
• Designs and delivers research presentations to internal and external audiences and translates findings to audiences with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Works as a member of a team, contributing to all aspects of project development and execution. Submits periodic reports of project status to supervisor. Performs other project duties as required.
• Helps the Center progress towards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging goals.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 1-2 years of research or data management experience in a professional or academic setting required
• Strong oral and written communication skills essential
• Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in topics related to housing, as well as experience using statistical software packages such as R or Stata.
• A successful candidate has demonstrated ability to use Stata or similar software to analyze complex information such as administrative data or data produced by the Census Bureau surveys
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without VISA sponsorship.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Preference will be given to those with a Master’s degree level training in urban planning, economics, public policy, public health, gerontology, or a related field is strongly recommended
• Master’s degree with 1-2 years of research experience is a plus
• Familiarity with qualitative analysis software like NVivo, and experience designing and conducting qualitative research, including surveys and interviews, is a plus.