Position Description

The Harvard Library Innovation Lab (LIL) seeks a Senior Product Designer to help us build tools and communities for open knowledge. Located at the Harvard Law Library, LIL is a fun and collaborative lab at the intersection of academia and industry, with a broad mission focused on re-envisioning how knowledge is created, preserved, and accessed. Please visit our website at https://lil.law.harvard.edu/ to get a sense of our current projects and activities.

LIL's projects can range from large to small and can bring immediate benefit or prototype the future. Passion and creativity is required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively on long-term and short-term projects with a great team.

Our work is open-source and openly available, with an eye to broad public interest impact. All or our team members participate in choosing and pursuing our research direction, and we welcome applicants with a strong sense of how they seek to make an impact through our work.

Prior experience building for libraries is welcomed but not necessary—only a desire to apply craft and care in a meaningful context.

As Senior Product Designer, you will:

• Help lead the brand and visual development of the lab and its products

• Shepherd product designs from wireframes to high fidelity comps through to implementation

• Take leadership to identify questions related to our projects that should be addressed through user research

• Design and run user studies

• Translate findings to user interface designs and other practical outputs

• Articulate findings through blog posts, talks, or other public channels

• Function as subject matter expert to frame, scope, and lead multiple interdisciplinary projects using a collaborative approach

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have:

• A desire to use their craft to make a positive impact in the service of libraries and the future of information architecture and civic technology

• An interest in sharing work and exploring ideas in public settings, including presentations, scholarly seminars at Harvard, and posting to the Lab's blog

• Experience with the full life cycle of product development, from exploration to design to implementation to iteration

• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor

Working Conditions

This position may be performed remotely; the option for hybrid work is also available.  All remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT and WA). Candidates residing in other states are also encouraged to apply, though would become employees of a third party external payroll company rather than Harvard University. 

Additional Information

This is a one-year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.

Please upload or include a link to a portfolio of design work. You are encouraged to submit a short cover letter to explain how your career trajectory and interests might align with our work and mission.

We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.

Be a part of excellence and leadership in legal education and scholarship at Harvard Law School. We are a community of talented people from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, dedicated to advancing the cause of justice all over the world. We value our differences and our diversity as a source of strength. We are committed to developing and inspiring our students and our workforce. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive.

Salary Grade: 058

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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