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Harvard University

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Research Associate at the Business School - Research Associate Harvard University Employee Review

2.0
2 May 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The professors and their wealth of knowledge, exposure to their research.

Cons

Working with the researcher staffing team. This team has several people on it and quite frankly, I’ve not a clue what any of them do other than create unnecessary barriers and challenges for the research groups in partnership with the professors. A majority of the professors find researchers on their own to hire, and HR is who we work with to become hired. So what does the research staffing team do? Absolutely nothing other than create barrier after barrier for everyone in order to remain relevant in the process. Myself along with several researchers I’ve met during my time at the business school have all found the staffing team to be utterly useless for support while creating problems out of nothing.

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
30 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This place is huge, your mileage may vary based on which school and which department you work in - even in the same role. I have the best manager hands-down, and the team around me makes it all worth it.

Cons

Pay is slow to advance, PTO stuck at 15ish days annual, career advancement is inconsistent

2.0
30 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great Union and benefits for non-profits/higher ed. Wonderful colleagues outside of leadership!

Cons

GSD Development and Alumni Relations (under current leadership) is an incredibly toxic work environment. I didn't realize the intensity of the toll it took on my until after leaving, and I am not one to leave a negative review, but as they are hiring for several positions currently, I wish to share words of caution with applicants. Cons: - Absolutely not a safe space for anyone who is Black, brown, trans, queer, working-class, or disabled - 100% top-down direction. No room for personal exploration, initiative, or creativity. - Minimal guidance from leadership - Frequent pivots, even in the late stages of projects - Petty, immature talking behind your back by leadership - No upward mobility unless the Associate Dean or Dean like you - Deeply disingenuous comments, reflections, and feedback from leadership - Complete lack of transparency on direction, goals, etc. - Small mistakes are made cornerstones of performance evaluations, while leadership routinely missteps. Leadership never takes accountability. - Top-down policy decisions, completely lacking detail, thought, and care outside of legal ramifications - Ever-changing in-office requirements

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