Assistant Director, Fieldwork Operations

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of International and Field Research, this position provides expert operational support for complex domestic and international fieldwork, including research conducted in high-risk, remote, and limited-infrastructure settings environments. Working in close collaboration with the Director of International and Field Research, this role serves as a divisional resource supporting units within the Science Division, as well as other academic divisions as needed, on fieldwork planning, researcher support, risk mitigation, policy interpretation, compliance coordination, and process improvement to enable safe, compliant, and effective research activities. The Assistant Director role plays a key part in implementing divisional approaches to field-based research and educational activities, while ensuring alignment with institutional policies.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Advise on fieldwork operations and researcher support

• Provide operational guidance for complex fieldwork across Science Division units, and other academic divisions as needed, including projects in high-risk, remote, and limited-communication environments; supports researchers in navigating institutional processes and fieldwork requirements before, during, and after travel or deployment
• Advise and assist students, faculty and other researchers, as well as departmental research administrators with coordination of compliant transportation of research materials, including deployment of scientific equipment abroad or in the field, shipping of biological samples, chemicals, or other hazardous materials to/from domestic and international laboratories and field sites
• Advise and support students, researchers, and department research administrators in planning or setting up efficient and compliant mechanisms to fund and pay for fieldwork activities or other related fieldwork operations
• Develop practical solutions to fieldwork challenges under time-sensitive or ambiguous conditions, balancing researcher needs, operational realities, and institutional requirements
• Advise on responses to fieldwork operations adverse incidents and participate in post-incident reviews to identify lessons learned and recommend changes to practices, tools, or training, in coordination with relevant divisional leadership and departmental partners

Serve as divisional fieldwork operations subject-matter resource

• Serve as a divisional resource for Science Division units, and other academic divisions as needed, on international research and fieldwork operations
• Assist in interpreting institutional policies and regulatory requirements, and translating them into clear, practical guidance for diverse field settings (e.g., remote wilderness, marine, rural, and urban environments)
• Identify recurring questions, training needs, and gaps in fieldwork practices; and contribute to developing guidance, tools, and resources to support consistent fieldwork practices and strengthen divisional capacity for supporting complex research operations

Support fieldwork safety, research compliance, policy alignment, and risk mitigation

• Interpret and apply University, School, state, federal, sponsor, and international requirements related to research operations and fieldwork activities; help research teams identify applicable regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g., permits, research approvals, data protections) and incorporate them into fieldwork and international research plans
• Advise and guide students, faculty and other researchers on matters related to fieldwork or research permits, import/export permits, and other agreements - county-specific/local, USDA, PICs, MATs, MTAs, Nagoya protocols, etc.
• Monitor policy changes affecting research operations and fieldwork; analyze implications, recommend process or practice improvements, and escalate high-risk, sensitive, or precedent-setting issues to appropriate leadership and University offices as needed
• Advise Science Division units, and other academic divisions as needed, on risk mitigation strategies for field-based research, including researcher safety, emergency communication, travel guidance, local context, and operational continuity

Coordinate cross-unit partnerships and represent fieldwork needs

• Coordinate with Science Division units, other academic divisions as needed, and central University and FAS offices involved in research operations, global support, travel, research and academic compliance, procurement-adjacent processes, and sponsored research administration
• Highlight operational barriers, policy implications, and compliance challenges related to conducting research in complex field environments
• Build strong working relationships with faculty, administrators, central offices, vendors, consultants, and external partners, and participate in fieldwork-related meetings, special projects, and operational initiatives as a subject-matter contributor

Improve fieldwork processes, systems, and training

• Identify operational challenges across Science Division units, and other academic divisions as needed, and recommend process improvements to strengthen research fieldwork support, improve service delivery, reduce risk, and support faculty research priorities
• Document and communicate operational policies, procedures, guidance, and training for fieldwork-related activities.
• Assist in developing and delivering training, lunch and learn seminars, workshops, and online resources on fieldwork safety and best practices, risk management, and research compliance expectations
• Conduct outreach to academic departments within the science division, and other academic divisions as needed, to raise awareness of available advice and resources for fieldwork and international research

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in research administration, operations, program management, international research support, fieldwork coordination, or a related area.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong understanding of research operations, fieldwork logistics, international research complexities, and institutional compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to advise stakeholders, coordinate complex operational activities, and resolve non-routine fieldwork issues across multiple units or divisions.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, problem-solving skills, and ability to make sound recommendations in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to advise faculty, researchers, staff, and leadership on sensitive or complex operational matters.
• Strong communication, negotiation, collaboration, and relationship-building skills across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to develop procedures, training materials, guidance, and process improvements that support safe and compliant fieldwork.
• Familiarity with Harvard systems and international research and fieldwork policies strongly preferred.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.