22-Aug-2023

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

63543BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the executive director and in close consultation with the faculty director (and associate faculty director), the Associate Director of Research Initiatives (ADRI) will oversee multifaceted research projects at CMES. The ADRI will work with the Faculty Director, Associate Director, and CMES-affiliated Faculty to define research priorities and goals. They will collaborate with the Executive Director on budgeting, hires, grant applications, fundraising opportunities, and compliance with university policies.

On a day-to-day basis, the ADRI will help shape new projects, supervise established projects, recruit student and outside workers, and assist in hiring technical specialists as needed. In addition, they will identify grants and help prepare grant applications. They will also manage and coordinate the postdoctoral fellow and visiting researcher programs and special events at CMES. The ADRI will update the ED, Fac Director, Fac Assoc Director and various CMES committees on the progress of all initiatives and will write periodic progress reports for internal and external constituents (for example, CMES web pages, newsletter, and reports to sponsors and CMES Executive Committee, funder progress reports).

Position Description

• Manages and updates CMES visiting researcher program consisting of fellows, postdocs, and scholars around coherent CMES research priorities and in alignment with FAS Faculty Affairs divisional requirements. Delivers  robust fellowship experience for the annual cohort of scholars, fellows and postdoctoral fellows through the management of ongoing programmatic events such as mandatory orientation activities, weekly fellows colloquiums series, writing workshops, and team building activities. Identifies new opportunities for fellows to share their interests across the Harvard University community. Handles all communication with fellows. Advises on housing, insurance, and other necessities. Leads and implements the procurement of visas for international scholars joining the program. Works closely with the Harvard International Office. Develops guidelines, policies, and procedures necessary for the smooth running of the fellowship program. Oversees  application process including assembling and directing faculty committee. Prepares initial review of applications for selection committee. Ideates, conducts, and evaluates fellowship application process and conduct climate and exit surveys. Leads all aspects of on-boarding for fellows. Directs fellows to resources for housing, insurance, and other necessities. Fosters social and intellectual engagement of fellows. Serves as point of contact between the CMES and other University and academic institutions for joint programming and collaborative research opportunities. Maintains social media platforms. Develops and manages budget for fellowship program within CMES funding resources. Works with CMES leadership to build an academically comprehensive fellowship cohort despite the challenges imposed by restrictive funding sources. Creates reports on outcomes.
• Manages CMES Research Projects including multi-year, interdisciplinary projects such as the new CMES Disaster Studies Initiative which will bring together postdocs, student researchers and technical staff (to be hired) in the development of an innovative new project on the history of seismicity and other aspects of the emerging field of disaster studies. Responsible for the application process for the selection of researchers, hiring, orienting, and on-boarding the fellows and serving as the point of contact between the researchers, affiliated faculty members and the CMES Executive Committee. Serves as the project manager for these research initiatives, and will be responsible for liaising with project members, helping to secure funding via internal and external sources, tracking spending and projections, helping to promote the project via social media and other on-line platforms, organizing topical events, talks and workshops along thematic lines that engage internal and external scholars. Investigates best platforms for the digital dissemination of research results, including websites and other digital repositories.  Serve as liaison between project leaders and various Harvard offices.
• Coordinates a CMES writer/artist/scholar in residence program that will bring academics and practitioners to campus for short-term stays (2-6 weeks). Duties include posting applications, coordination of application review, integration of visitor into CMES events and organizing “master” classes and public events related to the scholar’s stay. (Responsibilities for this program are in line with those for the VR program).
• Manages special events at CMES including conferences, colloquia related to research projects and manages all aspects of larger-scale topical art and musical performances for internal and external stakeholders. Responsible for all aspects of these events including negotiating with performers, arranging event venues, and insuring necessary legal and insurance agreements are in place, designing publicity and dissemination strategies and writing performance reports.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in related field and five years of relevant experience in fellowship management and research project management.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Must have Turkish language and/or Arabic language expertise. Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Studies desirable as is a working knowledge of archival research methods and archival holdings in the ME, with a working knowledge. Experience in managing digital humanities projects would be an asset.  

Working Conditions

Office environment 

Additional Information

This is a three-year term position with the possibility of renewal.

We regret that we will not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

359057 Admin Dept/Program Admin

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Center for Middle Eastern Studies

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Appointment End Date

31-Aug-2026

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.