Research Coordinator, SAS- Humanities and Human Flourishing (HHF) Project in the Positive Psychology Center

University of Pennsylvania•Greendale, WI

About The Position

This position will support the research operations of the Humanities and Human Flourishing (HHF) Project in the Positive Psychology Center. This research project examines the flourishing impacts of engagement with the arts and humanities, with current research examining the impacts of engagement with different art forms and its impacts on flourishing outcomes. The person in this position will collaborate with members of the HHF team, Dr. James Pawelski, Dr. Katherine Cotter, Sarah Sidoti, and other researchers. This position is well-suited for individuals hoping to pursue advanced study in psychology in the future. To learn more about HHF’s work, visit our website: www.humanitiesandhumanflourishing.org/. The Humanities and Human Flourishing Project, located in the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center, is an interdisciplinary research project that explores how engaging in the arts and humanities brings well-being to individuals and communities. Since its inception in 2014, the Humanities and Human Flourishing Project has spearheaded the development of the Positive Humanities, an emerging field that marries the precision of positive psychology with the wisdom of the humanities. To learn more about HHF’s work, visit our website: www.humanitiesandhumanflourishing.org/.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Bachelor's degree in psychology or related quantitative discipline
A strong interest in the arts and humanities
Excellent organizational skills and a strong attention to detail and process
Proven ability to coordinate multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines
Ability to work well as a member of a highly collaborative team
Competency in MS Office applications

Nice To Haves

Prior research experience with human participants in psychology or a related quantitative discipline
Knowledge of fundamental statistical concepts and inferential tests (can be gained via coursework OR relevant experience)
Familiarity and experience with programming in R
Prior experience with Qualtrics
Knowledge of positive psychology

Responsibilities

Coordinate the execution of research projects. This may include helping to draft IRB approval documents, assembling research materials, recruiting research participants, facilitating research sessions, and managing communication with participants.
Assist members of the HHF research team with data analysis and manuscript preparation. This may include assembling data sets, performing basic analyses on this data, and helping to prepare sections of manuscripts (e.g., tables, figures, references) for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
Conduct literature reviews of the associations between engagement in the arts and humanities and the connection with a variety of flourishing outcomes, including social connection, empathy, subjective well-being, and social justice.
Mentor and co-supervise undergraduate research assistants and their work on HHF research projects.
Participate in HHF team meetings and discussions regarding the lab’s research, dissemination, and application efforts.
Collaborate with members of the HHF team to plan for and execute upcoming events and research projects.
Assist with the administrative functioning of the HHF team, including supporting ongoing events and outputs (e.g., colloquia, monthly newsletter) and assisting with collaborations with outside partners (e.g., arranging meetings, note-taking).
Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
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.
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 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 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.
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.