The Applied Social Media Lab (ASML) is an initiative of Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. Our mission is to build social media solutions that center the public interest and create a better internet. We have assembled 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 work on key challenges and opportunities such as transparency and governance, decentralized networks, online safety, and healthy discourse.
We are seeking a highly motivated MBA student or recent graduate to serve as a Business Graduate Research Assistant for a scoped project aimed at extending current product initiatives into fully developed business models. This role is ideal for someone with strong analytical, research, and strategic thinking skills who can translate project concepts into actionable business models that highlight scalability, sustainability, and market potential.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other ASML teams, identifying technical synergies and proposing innovative ideas that could shape the future of social media. Staying connected with the broader BKC community, you’ll participate in workshops and seminars to stay updated on the latest trends and developments in social media and public-interest technology.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct structured market research, competitive analysis, and benchmarking to inform business model development
- Review existing project materials and identify opportunities for revenue generation, partnerships, and operational scalability
- Build financial models and projections to assess feasibility and sustainability
- Develop strategic recommendations for business model extensions, including go-to-market strategy, customer segments, value propositions, and cost structures
- Synthesize findings into professional presentations and reports for internal stakeholders
- Collaborate closely with project leads to ensure alignment with organizational mission and goals
Qualifications:
- Current MBA student or recent business school graduate
- Strong background in business strategy, finance, and/or consulting
- Demonstrated research, analysis, and critical thinking skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and deliver high-quality outputs
This is a paid, part-time (14-20 hours per week) opportunity for Fall 2025 semester, with opportunities to renew for Spring 2026 semester.