Instructional Designer

Position Description

The Instructional Designer, Medical Science for the Product Development group within the Office for External Education (OEE) at Harvard Medical School supports a growing portfolio of educational products and programs designed for OEE’s target markets of corporate learners, healthcare professionals, and the general public. Reporting to the Assistant Director, of Instructional Design, this position will work in concert with HMS Faculty, OEE product managers, and product development professionals to create high-quality, engaging, online courses that further the school’s mission. The ID will bring a background in medical science and adult learning theory, coupled with an in-depth understanding of instructional design and online learning principles, technologies, and multimedia. This individual will balance multiple projects and competing priorities while designing programs and learner experiences that set high standards within the medical education community. This position will contribute to the product development group’s ethos as a learning organization and center of excellence, with a mindset geared toward quality, scale, and learner success.

The Instructional Designer will be responsible for the following:

• Collaborate with OEE product managers, HMS Faculty, and product development professionals to coordinate the creation of online learning content and activities
• Define and design key course elements, including, but not limited to learning outcomes, performance competencies, interactive elements, case studies, assessments, activities, portfolio projects, and capstone projects
• Communicate effectively with faculty and product managers, and be a point of responsibility for alignment between product goals and design execution
• Contribute to the development of design templates and best practices for course design, as well as rubrics and quality standards to assess OEE products
• Balance competing priorities to meet deadlines and produce high-quality learning materials
• Monitor and facilitate meaningful reporting on learner performance and engagement
• Identify knowledge gaps and develop training materials and learning opportunities for faculty and staff
• Contribute to the creation of efficient workflows and openly communicate risks to timelines and quality
• Advocate for technologies and processes that enhance OEE products and learner experiences
• Collaborate with product managers within OEE to understand evolving educational requirements
• Attend scoping calls with course directors and product managers to advise on learner needs and design requirements
• Build strong and effective partnerships between the product managers, OEE core function groups, HMS Faculty, the Office of the Vice President for Advances in Learning (VPAL) and other academic support organizations across HMS and the University
• Develop expertise in current and emerging technologies that support teaching and learning in higher education
• Develop expertise in the learner needs of OEE’s market segments

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Three years of job-related experience in science or medical education, preferably in an online setting
• Track record of translating complex scientific concepts into well-scaffolded learning materials, appropriately designed for target learners
• Possess the ability to master new software applications and technologies as they are introduced to the department
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing deadlines
• MD or MS or PhD in a science or medical discipline
• Experience with data management and learning analytics
• Experience with graphic design tools
• Portfolio of online learning samples demonstrating innovative educational approaches

Physical Requirements

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Additional Information

Cover letters are strongly encouraged as part of the application process.

This is a three-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.

This position is based in Boston, but the work may be done primarily remote. Any remote work must be performed in 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). Individual flexible and remote work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process. *Note: Harvard employees working in California must be exempt.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.

The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website 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.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community 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.

About Organization

At Harvard Medical School, our mission is to create and nurture a diverse community of the best people committed to leadership in alleviating human suffering caused by disease. With our vast reservoir of talent, extensive network of affiliates and commitment to problem solving, Harvard Medical School is uniquely positioned to steer education and research in directions that will benefit local, national, and global communities.

— MD Programs: 3 4-year degree programs – HST MD Program, New Pathway, and Combined Degree Programs.
— External Education: Non-degree programs for working professionals.
— Continuing Education: Over 200 live, online, or regularly scheduled series classes for talented professionals.
— Faculty: the faculty of Medicine includes more than 12,000 individuals working to advance the boundaries of knowledge in labs, classrooms, and clinics.
— Affiliates: 17 affiliation agreements with the world’s most prestigious hospitals and research institutes that serve as home base for more than 10,000 physicians and scientists with faculty appointments.
— Awards: 9 Nobel Prizes (Medicine or Physiology; Peace) by 15 recipients, 37 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators, 147 National Academy of Medicine members, and 68 National Academy of Sciences members.