Senior User Experience Designer Contract

Harvard Law School

67326BR

Position Description

Do you have a deep and abiding interest in grappling with the Internet’s toughest social and technical problems? Do you believe in the power of great software design to drive positive change (and the risk of bad design patterns to cause great harm)? Are you excited by the opportunity to drive ambitious experiments and learn by doing?

The Applied Social Media Lab (ASML) is a new initiative of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard. Our two-year mission is to build social media solutions that center the public interest. We are assembling a team of industry-trained technologists to work with experts from academia and civil society to build new software, protocols, and designs to foster healthier human connections. Teams of industry-trained engineers, designers, and product managers will work in flexible pods organized around key challenges and opportunities such as transparency and governance, decentralized networks, online safety, and healthy discourse.

As a Senior User Experience Designer at the ASML, you will play a crucial role in exploring new ideas and ensuring the Lab’s software projects are intuitive, inclusive, and effective in serving the public good. You will be responsible for the design function of the Lab – working across functions and teams to determine where design help and interventions can make the most difference, and then doing the hands-on, iterative UX design work required. This is not a management role, but there is the potential to oversee a small budget for student and third-party designers to augment the Lab’s work. Ideally, you will be excited to represent the Lab publicly, telling the story of our work visually and making the case for designing social media experiences that serve the public interest.

As a Senior User Experience Designer you will:

• Assess Lab ideas and projects for their UX requirements and recommend where UX support is most needed, including determination of the Lab’s approach to design systems across multiple platforms and products.
• Conduct UX/UI design for multiple projects from concept to implementation by creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
• Implement design strategies that encourage positive user behaviors and inclusive participation.
• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity are at the forefront of all design decisions.
• Collaborate closely with software engineers and product managers.

Basic Qualifications

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

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have/are:

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Basic understanding of coding and using component libraries to build mobile and/or Web UIs. (UX engineering skills would be a huge plus.)
• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, ability to explain design decisions to non-design audiences.
• Passion for people and user research. A successful UX designer at the Lab will care deeply about humans, fairness and equity, and love learning about and from users through focus groups, usability studies, product data, etc.
• Openness and flexibility. We don’t know the answers to the questions the Lab is asking. A successful designer at the Lab will be open to trying new things, receiving feedback, and changing course quickly.
• Mission-driven and resilient. Building a better social media will involve confronting difficult questions and content. We are here because we care about the mission, first and foremost.

Additional Information

This is a term appointment expected to extend through June 30, 2025, subject to funding and departmental need.

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

All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.

Work Format Details
This position may be performed in-person or remotely; the option for hybrid work is also available.

About Us
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.

Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function
Information Technology

Department Office Location
USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code
I1658P IT User Experience Prof IV

Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit
*

Salary Grade
058

Department
Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Union
00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status
Full-time

Appointment End Date
30-Jun-2025

Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity

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.