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Pre-Doctoral Data Research Specialist, Penn Criminology Department
University of Pennsylvania
Pre-Doctoral Data Research Specialist, Penn Criminology Department
University of Pennsylvania
 Pre-Doctoral Data Research Specialist, Penn Criminology Department 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 Pre-Doctoral Data Research Specialist, Penn Criminology Department Job Profile Title Research Specialist B Job Description Summary The Department of Criminology is hiring a Pre-Doctoral Data Research Specialist with strong technical skills to work on research projects to evaluate what prosecutor-driven policies can help improve fairness and efficiency in the criminal justice. The Data Research Specialist will contribute to multiple steps of data collection and cleaning, developing the adequate models to analyze data, help in design / implement field experiments, and analyzing experimental results. The position will work on a portfolio of projects that include both analyzing extant data, using quasi-empirical causal approaches, and helping develop research designs and conduct evaluations of new policies. Candidates should be comfortable working as a part of small research teams running multiple projects concurrently. This is a unique opportunity to work directly with leading economists at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and the University of Virginia; as well as prosecutors and analysts at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office (DAO). The position offers excellent mentorship opportunities for applicants who are considering applying to a PhD in economics or related fields; people who worked with our team have been accepted in PhD programs including Penn economics, NYU economics, or the Harvard Kennedy School's public policy program. Job Description The University of Pennsylvania has the longest continuous program of research and teaching in criminology of any American university, with a rich history, strong traditions, and a distinguished group of alumni. Current faculty are highly regarded as teachers and researchers who represent a range of academic disciplines: psychology, sociology, economics, public policy, law, statistics, and criminology. All are professionally committed to even-handed science in service of the public good. The Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania is collaborating with the Yale Department of Economics, and the University of Virginia School of Law to develop a research agenda focused on evaluating how penal policies affect socio-economic well-being. The data research specialist will be embedded at the DAO and provide regular, sustained interactions and policy guidance with prosecutors and analysts. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for an early-career professional who is passionate about social science research and eager to deepen their expertise in economic research and quantitative analysis. The analyst will work closely with the professors of these departments who will provide research supervision and mentorship on academic and professional development. We anticipate that the successful candidate will remain in this role for approximately two years before pursuing graduate studies or careers in Economics. Responsibilities: The data research specialist will support a range of research activities, including:
Qualifications: Success in this role requires independent thinking, strong analytical skills, a solid grounding in economics or related disciplines, and the ability to manage workflows across multiple projects. Self-motivation and attention to detail are highly valued.
In addition, candidates are encouraged to highlight experience in the following areas:
This position is contingent upon funding. *For consideration, please submit a writing sample along with a cover letter and resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload multiple documents to the 'Resume/CV' section. Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School School of Arts and Sciences Pay Range $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 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, 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
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/McNeil-Building/Pre-Doctoral-Data-Research-Specialist--Penn-Criminology-Department_JR00105332 Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-bdaaff856ebfc74a82eaef91c7ad1a3d
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Internal Number: 6313868
About University of Pennsylvania
Penn has a long and proud tradition of intellectual rigor and pursuit of innovative knowledge, begun by Benjamin Franklin in 1740. That tradition lives today through the creativity, entrepreneurship, and engagement of our faculty, students, and staff. Academic life at Penn is unparalleled, with an undergraduate student body of 10,000 from every U.S. state and around the world. The entering class of 2015 is the most talented and diverse in Penn's history. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the country, Penn welcomes an additional 10,000 students to our top-ranked graduate and professional schools.
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