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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Penn State's Research Business Development Office, within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, seeks a detail-oriented and analytically driven Part-Time Research Impact Analyst to support the Impact Mapping & Database Project. This role focuses on identifying, documenting, and analyzing Penn State’s research contributions over time, including mapping both immediate and long-term impact across the full arc of research.
The position will help uncover the long-term value of Penn State research by linking past projects, funding sources, and outcomes to measurable forms of impact such as economic development, societal benefit, policy influence, and technological advancement. This work supports development of a university-wide impact database and reporting platform, enabling stronger storytelling, improved ROI communication, and enhanced positioning for future funding.
Key Responsibilities:
- Research Discovery: Identify and document historical and current Penn State research projects across colleges and institutes.
- Impact Mapping: Analyze and categorize research outcomes across multiple impact types, recognizing non-linear and delayed impact.
- Historical Linkage: Connect research projects to funding sources, outputs, and downstream outcomes to establish clear impact narratives.
- Data Structuring: Support development of a structured dataset and relational database for long-term impact tracking.
- Pilot Program Support: Assist with mapping efforts in priority areas (e.g., AgSci, Huck, MRI, EMS) and expand enterprise-wide.
- Collaboration: Engage with faculty, institutes, and administrative units to gather and validate information.
- Process Development: Contribute to internal processes for capturing and reporting research impact.
- Reporting & Storytelling: Develop summaries and narratives supporting communications and business development.
Qualifications:
Education:
High School diploma (enrolled in college, in Business Major), or Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience:
1–2 years of experience in research, data analysis, market research, business intelligence, or related fields, preferably within a higher education or research environment.
Skills:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent written communication skills for translating research into impact narratives.
- Ability to organize and manage complex datasets.
- Proficiency in Excel, Airtable, or similar tools (CRM/database experience is a plus).
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently.
- Familiarity with research, innovation, or impact assessment is a plus.
Project Context (Impact Mapping & Database Project):
- Support mapping of research impact across time and categories.
- Help build a relational database for impact tracking and reporting.
- Improve Penn State’s ability to communicate long-term research ROI.
- Assist in developing processes that encourage faculty participation in impact reporting.
Hours:
Part-time, approximately 20 hours per week.
This is a remote (or on-site) position with opportunities for local hires to join in-person meetings and team gatherings. Candidates should plan to be available for meetings during business hours (8-5, M-F), but a bulk of the work can be completed on a flexible schedule. The candidate should be self-directed with an ability to organize and prioritize their work to meet established deadlines. Expected hours per week are 10-20.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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Skills Required
- High school diploma (enrolled in college in Business) or Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field
- 1-2 years experience in research, data analysis, market research, business intelligence, or related fields
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Excellent written communication skills for translating research into impact narratives
- Ability to organize and manage complex datasets
- Proficiency in Excel, Airtable, or similar tools
- CRM/database experience
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently
- Familiarity with research, innovation, or impact assessment
- Availability to work part-time (~10-20 hours/week) and attend meetings during business hours
- Successful completion of background check(s)
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
