Executive Director, Laboratory of Decision Research

Center for Public Leadership

Duties And Responsibilities: The Executive Director will develop and direct the programs and operations of a new Harvard-wide laboratory. The laboratory is a world-class facility for scientific research on judgment and decision making, blending psychology, economics, neuroscience, and related fields. The lab's primary mission is to catalyze multidisciplinary, scientific research on judgment and decision making, supporting key faculty- and student- initiated research. A subcomponent of this mission, already successfully underway, involves bringing individuals (e.g., government and military leaders from around the world who visit the Harvard Kennedy School) into the lab for participation in studies. Other responsibilities include representing the lab to prospective donors, drafting fund-raising documents, traveling as a representative of the lab to meetings, and developing a sustained set of outreach activities. The Executive Director will report to the scientific director of the laboratory (a tenured faculty member), and will supervise a staff that includes professional and student employees. Key roles for the Executive Director are to develop and maintain strong relationships with faculty from across Harvard who participate in decision research, work with the faculty director and scientific leadership of the lab to build the lab's long-term strategy; and to design, implement and monitor operations of the lab. This role has fiduciary responsibility for the lab, managing a budget > $1,000,000, which is expected to grow considerably. The individual will develop financial plans and projections and establish innovative programs and policies to catalyze research at the lab, giving special attention to the unique populations (e.g., dignitaries) who will visit and participate in the lab. Given greater demand than supply of lab space, the Executive Director will also (in consultation with the faculty directors) design and implement a plan for granting prioritized access among researchers. The successful candidate must be self-motivated, and organized, possessing the ability to bring people together across academic boundaries. Candidate should have: an entrepreneurial spirit, desire to creatively launch a rapidly-growing enterprise, demonstrated leadership, outstanding oral and written communication, relationship-building and organizational skills. Candidate should enjoy working with students ranging from undergraduates to post-doctoral fellows, and be committed to serving not only faculty research needs but also student research needs. Finally, the candidate should be someone who enjoys speaking with and corresponding with prospective donors, dignitaries, and scientific leaders.

Basic Qualifications: Master's or equivalent professional experience, including the ability to read primary source publications in behavioral science. A track record in developing and maintaining strong, professional relationships with leaders in academia; experience in designing, implementing and promoting innovative programs in an academic setting. A track record for leading an effective team of individuals in academic administration.

Additional Qualifications: Additional Desired Education, Experience and Skills: PhD in a quantitatively-based discipline (e.g., psychology, economics, neuroscience, statistics) would be an asset but not essential. Experience in research methods for studying human subjects, including physiological methods, also an asset but not essential. Grant writing and administration as well as laboratory experience helpful. Prior experience in academic administrative leadership roles, or such roles as management consulting a strong asset. Finally, skills in translating behavioral science findings into useful applications a strong asset. This is a term appointment for one year, with possibility of renewal.


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