Part-Time Research Assistant – 3PL Warehouse Industry Impact Study

Penn State University • University Park, IL

3d

About The Position

The Center for Supply Chain Research at Penn State University Park is hiring a part-time research assistant to support the 3PL Warehouse Industry Impact Study. The successful candidate will assist Dr. Saurabh Bansal and Dr. Donna Palumbo, working up to 10 hours per week for approximately six weeks, beginning in November 2026.

The role involves collecting, cleansing, processing, organizing, and analyzing supply chain data from web sources, industry reports and organizations, and public data sources. The research assistant will prepare data for analysis, identify trends and insights, and communicate findings through visualizations, reports, and presentation materials. The candidate will work independently with limited guidance, provide regular project updates, and participate in virtual meetings.

Requirements

• Ensure high-quality data collection, integrity, and readiness for analysis.
• Have a strong command and background in data management and experience working with data sets of varying sizes.
• Analyze complex data sets and derive meaningful insights using quantitative and qualitative analysis, including recommendations for further research and action.
• Maintain data accuracy and handle exceptions or anomalies carefully.
• Translate data into readable and accessible formats, such as Excel spreadsheets and data sets.
• Develop data tables and visualizations to illustrate findings.
• Develop innovative solutions to technical challenges in data collection and information preparation.
• Present findings in professional report and presentation formats suitable for publication.
• Work independently with little guidance and provide regular project updates.

Responsibilities

• Seek out and collect structured and unstructured data.
• Cleanse, process, and organize supply chain datasets from web sources, industry reports, industry organizations, and public data sources to support business intelligence and research.
• Prepare data for analysis by checking its accuracy and consistency.
• Analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and insights, and present findings through visualizations and reports.
• Develop data tables and visualizations, including heat maps, charts, and infographics, to illustrate findings.
• Prepare professional reports and presentation materials suitable for publication.
• Work independently, provide regular updates to project leadership, and participate in regular virtual calls and meetings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed