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Details

Title Postdoctoral Research Fellow

School Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Department/Area Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Position Description

The Lee Kum Sheung ( LKS ) Center for Health and Happiness (https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/health-happiness/) in the Department for Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to conduct relevant research and work with the Center Director, Dr. Vish Viswanath (https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/kasisomayajula-viswanath/) , and the team on scientific and programmatic initiatives. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow should have a primary interest that aligns with the LKS Center’s mission to build a rigorous and interdisciplinary science of positive health, happiness, and well-being with a focus on health equity, and to translate the science to influence practice and policy. They should have experience conducting research that seeks to understand well-being in the broadest sense including the interconnections between social, psychological, and physical health. Other areas of interest for the Center include the measurement of well-being and the translation of scientific findings to influence public health practice and policy.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will support research-related activities of the Center, including study design and field-based data collection (either in person, or through digital data collection), large-scale secondary data analyses, data visualization, manuscript preparation and publication, grant writing, and oral presentations. The Center is developing a variety of activities and expects the Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work with the Center Director and the team in areas such as:

+ Curriculum development for workshops

+ Conceptualization and implementation of workshops and symposia

+ Community-engaged research

+ Well-being and new technologies such as AI, social media and bid data

They will work with the Center Director to mentor students involved in Center activities and engage with relevant partners and potential donors within the community and at the national and international levels.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work closely with and report to Dr. Vish Viswanath, Center Director. They will receive an annual evaluation of progress and will be supported in their career development. This is a one-year appointment, renewable for up to two additional years contingent upon performance—quality and impact of contributions and collaborations in service of the Center’s mission—and funding.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Research-related (60%)

+ Lead a portfolio of research activities including original research and projects congruent with the Center’s research agenda.

+ Demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in analyzing data, writing, publishing (e.g., in peer-reviewed journals), and disseminating science (e.g., scientific conferences).

+ Supervise research staff and provide mentorship to student interns at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Programmatic support (40%)

Assist in scientific leadership for the Center. This can include activities such as:

+ Support the implementation of seminars, workshops, and international conferences/symposia sponsored by the Center, ensuring scientific rigor.

+ Engage with community partners or other investigators interested in learning about research at the Center or partnering with the Center.

+ Assist with course development at Harvard Chan and/or in ExecEd, HarvardX, or short courses.

+ Aid in the development of measurement tools and the creation and updating of repositories of well-being measures, resilience measures, and evidence-based interventions.

+ Participate in the evaluation of grant proposals or student funding awarded by the Center.

+ Contribute to grant writing and development activities connected to the Center’s mission.

Schedule:Full-time, hybrid with a minimum of three on-campus days per week, remote work not permitted.

Term: One year from date of hire, with possible extension up to two additional years, contingent upon performance and contribution to the center’s mission.

Basic Qualifications

The candidate should possess the following:

+ doctoral-level degree in public health, social sciences, or a related discipline

+ proof of successfully defending dissertation

+ strong research skills, including data collection, advanced analytical skills, and scientific writing

+ publication record, with significant contributions to peer-reviewed publications beyond thesis papers

+ ability to lead research teams and manage research projects, including supervising research staff, coordinating with administrators regarding budget and staffing, and ensuring research activities meet ethical guidelines

+ expertise in measuring well-being and resilience

+ excellent planning, analytical, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills

+ ability to define and drive projects to completion while effectively collaborating with others

+ enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research focused on well-being and public health

+ supervision or mentorship experience

+ demonstrated interest or experience in program development and community engagement

+ preference for previous experience developing science-based curriculum.

Additional Qualifications

Special Instructions

Please address questions to Kelsey Torres [email protected] and apply via the ARIeS portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with an application deadline 3 weeks from date of posting.

Contact Information

Kelsey Torres

Assistant Director of Operations

Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Contact Email [email protected]

Salary Range

$65,000—73,000 based on qualifications and experience

Minimum Number of References Required 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

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 (https://hr.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum6281/files/2025-04/reaffirmation\_statement.pdf) 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 (https://provost.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3356/files/2025-07/non-discrimination\_and\_anti-bullying\_policies.pdf) . 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.

Supplemental Questions