University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Research Specialist, Penn Environmental Politics Lab

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary

The Penn Environmental Politics Lab is hiring a research specialist to support a two-year research project, beginning in July 2026. This is a one-year appointment, with the option of extending the appointment for an additional year contingent upon funding. It is an ideal opportunity for recent graduates to work with leading faculty on a multi-method research project, invest in their research skills, and engage with the social science research community at Penn. The research specialist will be based at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and will work primarily with the PI at Penn, with regular engagement from the full research team at Stanford University, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University.

Job Description

The US energy transition is unfolding against a backdrop of dramatic policy reversals, investment uncertainty, and deep political division. Our study, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, examines how firms, workers, and communities respond to clean energy industrial policy in the current moment of flux. The research team is conducting a multi-method study that will include a process-tracing analysis of federal clean energy policymaking, analysis of how clean energy manufacturing firms mobilize politically in response to policy uncertainty, an original longitudinal panel survey of clean energy manufacturing workers, and qualitative case studies of six communities hosting clean energy manufacturing facilities. This position is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation under Grant No. G-2026-79331.

Job Responsibilities

Data collection and analysis: Conduct background research on clean-energy manufacturing sites and the communities hosting them; assist the research team in identifying interview respondents, preparing for interviews, conducting interviews, and analyzing interview data; and build and maintain relationships with research partners.
Writing: Contribute to literature reviews, visual presentations, and writing across four integrated research efforts.
Fieldwork: Travel to projects sites to conduct interviews, field observations, and survey respondent recruitment.
Teaching support: Assist the research team with preparing materials, organizing student research teams, facilitating connections with research sites, and otherwise support an undergraduate research seminar associated with the study.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A bachelor's degree in political science, economics, public policy, sociology, environmental studies, urban planning, public health, or a related field is preferred.
Demonstrated interest in American politics, energy or climate policy, labor, or industrial policy
Strong research and writing skills, including experience locating and synthesizing information from diverse sources
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with diverse interview respondents and partner organizations
Organizational ability and comfort managing multiple tasks and timelines simultaneously
Some background in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Proficiency with R, Stata, Python, NVivo, or other analysis software

How to Apply

For consideration, please submit a cover letter as well as a resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload multiple documents to the "Resume/CV" section. You may also submit an optional writing sample.
Your cover letter should outline your research interests and fit with the position. The letter should (A) outline prior experience that has led you to be interested in social science research; (B) describe relevant research experience and skills; (C) explain your research interests; and (D) explain how your goals overlap with our research. Letters should not exceed 3 single-spaced pages.

This is a one-year appointment, with the option of extending the appointment for an additional year contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences$44,500.00 - $45,500.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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Research Specialist, Penn Environmental Politics Lab