The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) is launching an initiative to build the best-in-class research enablement environment for public policy. Over the next two years, the School will pilot and pressure test strategies and solutions addressing the increasing complexity of the research and research compliance environment. This position will directly support this work.
As a member of the Research Computing and Data Services (RCDS) team in Library and Research Services (LRS) at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and reporting to the Director of Research Computing and Data Services, the Data Safety Reviewer will be primarily charged with managing the Data Safety process and queue for the Harvard Kennedy School. You will review and guide Principal Investigators and researchers through the Data Safety research compliance process, advising on research data management best practices that comply with Harvard Research Data Security Policy and the Harvard IT Enterprise Policy while referring researchers to IT, legal, or other experts if ethical, security, policy, and legal considerations arise in planning for data collection, processing, and dissemination. You will work closely with the Research Data Steward, Director of Research Computing and Data Services, and the HKS Chief Research Data and Privacy Officer to make substantive process and service improvements across the Data Safety process, management of regulated and contractual data, and other key aspects impacting HKS researchers managing sensitive data.
We seek candidates who have:
- An ability to work in a distributed organization that often requires referring services to researchers related to research data management.
- An ability to partner with research, business, legal, and technical subject matter experts when necessary to support researchers while managing risks appropriately.
- The willingness and proven ability to proactively take responsibility and action to resolve cross functional issues across organizational boundaries.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative and/or team environment.
- A commitment to belonging, community, and connection.
Within LRS, we value continually learning. You will be expected to continually pursue new areas for learning related to this role and use newly gained skills and knowledge on the job. You will also encourage and support this learning for other members of LRS.
HKS, including LRS, is committed to building a welcoming and supportive community of staff, faculty, and students. This position will work toward building such a community and foster an environment in LRS and in the community we serve that values and prioritizes belonging, community, and connection.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
As Data Safety Reviewer, you will:
- Serve as a Primary Data Safety Reviewer for HKS: Data Management Plans are a required approval process (Data Safety) for all research data deemed sensitive and often require coordination and communication with IRB, DUA Negotiating Offices, the HKS School Security Officer and HKS IT team, and the HKS Research Administration Office. Responsible for making a data security level (DSL) determination for Sensitive Data, providing Researchers with information about methods to bring a Data Management Plan into compliance with the assigned DSL(s).
- Administer high quality, user-centered consultation with faculty, students, fellows, and research staff pursuing research that requires a data management plan and/or Data Safety review. Work closely with the Manager of Research and Data Services on making improvements and gaining efficiencies in the Data Safety process and developing processes and services to support FAIR practices at HKS.
- Maintain and continuously develop expertise in data management and treatment to provide faculty, students, and staff with specialized professional support while building trust and rapport across these communities. Employ creativity and innovative approaches to data management to facilitate and support the research of HKS without compromising the security and protection of sensitive research data.
- Establish and nurture deep knowledge of expertise, services, and resources available through HKS and Harvard University to support research data management and research computing. Share this knowledge across LRS to support an efficient referral system of all LRS staff working with faculty, staff, students, and fellows.
- Work closely with the members of the RCDS team to develop processes and services such as documenting challenges, resolving issues, and gaining efficiencies in the Data Safety process
- Work collaboratively on cross-functional teams to move LRS portfolios, projects, and initiatives forward.
- Work actively and collaboratively across LRS, HKS, and the University to improve research and data services/resources for the HKS community.
- Under the direction of the Director of Research and Data Services, take on new challenges, projects, and duties as necessary to support the HKS mission.