Research Coordinator, Senior (Hybrid) - University of Pennsylvania

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 Coordinator, Senior (Hybrid)





Job Profile Title

Research Coordinator Senior





Job Description Summary

The Philadelphia Economic Equity Project (PEEP) within the Center for Public Service and Policy is based at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2). This is a collective actionable research initiative led by the University of Pennsylvania, Johnson C. Smith University, and Columbia University.


PEEP provides important, timely, and ongoing evidence about poverty, material hardship, economic precarity and economic mobility in Philadelphia. PEEP establishes a neighborhood-level data source using a multi-pronged, mixed methods research design anchored in a longitudinal panel survey. Data collection in Philadelphia reflects the priorities of community partners, policy decision-makers, and researchers. This localized approach is responsive to the shifting nature of economic hardship and mobility, as well as attuned to the need for local responses to alleviate poverty and promote economic mobility.


The Senior Research Coordinator will participate in all aspects of research design and development, data collection and research participant communications and coordination. The role will have primary project management responsibility for survey data collection and other quantitative data collection elements of the study. They will work closely with other members of the research team to coordinate and organize PEEP research activities according to project timelines and goals. This includes supporting the design and implementation of data-collection plans, data collection and cleaning processes, protocol development, supervising research assistants and completing necessary follow-ups.


The Senior Research Coordinator will also contribute to data analysis and reporting. They will apply appropriate statistical techniques to summarizing and interpreting data. Drawing on strong writing and data visualization skills, they will contribute to grant proposals, reports and other products for academic, policy and practice audiences.


We especially welcome applications from individuals who have familiarity with and research interests in the areas of U.S. social policy, poverty, race and inequality, urban issues, economic mobility and related interests. Experience with and interest in community engaged research is an asset.


This position requires limited travel and is contingent upon grant funding.


* Candidates must submit cover letter. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.


**All SP2 staff are required to participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Lead coordination and organization of quantitative project research activities according to project timelines and goals with team members at SP2 and other research partners. This includes designing research data-collection plans, managing data collection, protocol development, and supervising research assistants. Organize and participate in research team meetings by delegating tasks to research assistants, tracking progress, and ensuring documentation of all data-collection activities.


+ Assist research team members with all stages of research, including scheduling data-collection with external stakeholders, preparing materials for data collection, communicating with research sites, and completing necessary follow-ups.


+ Assist Project Director with managing the IRB process. This may include drafting protocols, submitting applications, ensuring compliance with IRB protocols throughout the entire research process, and coordinating with IRBs external to Penn.

+ Data analysis and data management responsibilities



+ Quantitative data


+ Complex programming of survey tools (Voxco or Qualtrics)


+ Work closely with Data Scientist to support data management


+ Conduct queries in response to data requests


+ Apply statistical techniques for summarizing and interpreting data


+ Prepare and report data for external meetings, presentations and other products.




+ Qualitative data


+ Support development of data collection instruments




+ Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed Ensure that projects are executed successfully and completed within time frames to meet research objectives





Qualifications





+ A Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years experience is required. A Master’s degree and equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.


+ Considerable knowledge of at least one of the following programming languages: Python, R, or STATA.


+ Coursework and research interests in U.S social issues such as social policy, poverty, race and inequality, urban issues, social aspects of economic mobility and related topics.


+ Experience with research in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and with communities of color is a significant asset.


+ Familiarity and experience with the use of standardized measures.


+ Experience with or coursework in data visualization or otherwise translating complex data for a range of audiences including policy makers, practitioners and residents.


+ Experience supervising research assistants, delegating tasks in socio-behavioral research environments.


+ Experience with and understanding of the research process is required.


+ Excellent organizational, writing and communication skills are necessary.


+ Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills required; experience with data collection in community-based settings preferred.


+ Must be proficient using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Familiarity with project management software and data-collection platforms is strongly preferred.


+ Intellectual curiosity, and a problem-solving oriented mindset.


+ Dependability and attention to detail will be vital to success in this position.


+ Please note that this position will require occasional work in the evenings or weekends to support data collection with research participants.







Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice





Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $70,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check 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.




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



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.