Research Specialist, Penn Environmental Politics Lab

The University of Pennsylvania is hiring a Research Specialist for the Penn Environmental Politics Lab to support a two-year research project starting in July 2026. This one-year position, with potential for extension, is ideal for recent graduates to enhance their research skills while collaborating with faculty and a diverse research team. The role is based in Philadelphia and involves data collection and analysis related to clean energy manufacturing.
Research Specialist, Penn Environmental Politics Lab



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



Pay Range

$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 protected
under 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






Equal Employment 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 protected
under applicable federal, state, or local law.





To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Perelman-Center-PCPSE---Political-Science/Research-Specialist--Penn-Environmental-Politics-Lab_JR00119116













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