Research Specialist B, The Water Center at Penn

University of Pennsylvania

6d•$50,000 - $60,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Water Center at Penn is a community focused research center working to find integrated solutions to the challenges facing water systems and watersheds. We strive to be a trusted, reliable partner whose work accelerates water equity. The Water Center Research Specialist, reporting to the Director of Applied Research and Policy, will play a central role in leading and executing the Center’s applied research and policy initiatives. This position is responsible for designing and advancing research projects, producing high-impact analytical and communications deliverables, and translating complex water infrastructure and policy issues into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders. The Specialist will work closely with Water Center staff and collaborators across Penn to drive interdisciplinary efforts and extend the reach and impact of the Center’s work. Graduate-level training or equivalent subject matter expertise in environmental policy, water resources, or environmental studies is required. This is a hybrid position, with an expectation of three days per week in the Water Center offices.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Strong written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to translate complex water infrastructure topics into clear, accessible materials for diverse audiences across reports, presentations, and digital content.

Nice To Haves

The job strongly prefers a Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental policy, water resources, environmental studies, or environmental engineering.
Experience conducting applied research, including designing surveys or interviews, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and synthesizing findings to inform policy or technical assistance.
Demonstrated interest in community water infrastructure preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead applied research projects from design to delivery, including writing reports, developing surveys and interviews, creating public-facing materials, and presenting to stakeholders.
Conduct research on water infrastructure technical assistance by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data and evaluating relevant policies across drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
Collaborate with the Communications Manager and Penn partners to translate research into strategic communications and support interdisciplinary initiatives.
Produce high-quality research and communications outputs, including fact sheets, story maps, web content, and reports, translating complex information for diverse audiences.

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.