Research Director

Jobtailor; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior data leader to guide Penn MEDIATED's strategic direction and translate research into scalable analytics. You will supervise 1–2 data staff, develop data infrastructures, and create dashboards and visualizations that amplify research impact on democracy.

The role emphasizes data science, engineering, and communication to broader audiences, with preferred experience in media studies and academic research environments in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• OR PhD in a relevant field with at least three years of relevant experience
• Ability to conceptualize and execute projects translating research into continuously operating tools and analyses that lead to public impact
• Excellent data science and data analytical skills, including statistical analyses and deploying machine learning models for continuous analytics tools and dashboards
• Strong data engineering skills, especially developing data pipelines from one-time data collections used for research projects
• Ability to understand, analyze, and clearly communicate computational social science results for broader audiences
• Experience using computational social science methods, especially for studying the information ecosystem (preferred)
• Experience in data visualizations and data-driven storytelling (preferred)
• Expertise and background in media studies or journalism, or deep understanding of the information ecosystem, preferably in the United States, with demonstrated commitment to promoting democracy (preferred)
• Experience working in academic institutions, think tanks, or research institutions (preferred)
• Resume and cover letter required
• Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer

Responsibilities

• Identify impactful projects with Center leadership
• Develop data infrastructure, analytical tools, dashboards, and visualizations based on Penn MEDIATED research
• Expand the reach and impact of research on the information ecosystem and its impact on democracy
• Supervise and mentor a small data team of 1-2 employees and part-time student data engineers or research analysts
• Inform and assist with annual grant-making, the affiliated scholars program, and the research seminar
• Work with the Executive Director and faculty co-Directors to steer Penn MEDIATED's strategic direction
• Report to the Executive Director

Skills

Data Science Skills

Data Engineering Skills

Statistical Analyses

Machine Learning Models

Data Visualization

Data-Driven Storytelling

Data Infrastructure Development

Analytical Tools

Dashboards

Research Translation

Communication Skills

Mentoring

Project Management

Media Studies

Journalism

Information Ecosystem

Democracy Promotion

Academic Institutions

Think Tanks

Research Institutions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Job description

• Work with Center leadership to identify impactful projects
• Develop data infrastructure, analytical tools, dashboards, and visualizations based on Penn MEDIATED research
• Expand the reach and impact of research on the information ecosystem and its impact on democracy
• Supervise and mentor a small data team of 1-2 employees and part-time student data engineers or research analysts
• Inform and assist with annual grant-making, the affiliated scholars program, and the research seminar
• Work with the Executive Director and faculty co-Directors to steer Penn MEDIATED's strategic direction
• Report to the Executive Director

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study and at least seven years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• OR PhD in a relevant field of study with at least three years of relevant experience
• Ability to conceptualize and execute projects translating research into continuously operating tools and analyses that lead to public impact
• Excellent data science and data analytical skills, including statistical analyses and deploying machine learning models for continuous analytics tools and dashboards
• Strong data engineering skills, especially developing data pipelines from one-time data collections used for research projects
• Ability to understand, analyze, and clearly communicate computational social science results for broader audiences
• Experience using computational social science methods, especially for studying the information ecosystem (preferred)
• Experience in data visualizations and data-driven storytelling (preferred)
• Expertise and background in media studies or journalism, or deep understanding of the information ecosystem, preferably in the United States, with demonstrated commitment to promoting democracy (preferred)
• Experience working in academic institutions, think tanks, or research institutions (preferred)
• Resume and cover letter required
• Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in data science, data engineering, and computational social science, with a strong ability to translate research into impactful analytical tools and visualizations. Proven leadership in mentoring teams and steering strategic direction in academic or research settings.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Data Science Skills
• Data Engineering Skills
• Statistical Analyses
• Machine Learning Models
• Data Visualization

Hard Skills

• Data Infrastructure Development
• Analytical Tools
• Dashboards
• Data Pipelines
• Computational Social Science Methods
• Data-Driven Storytelling
• Statistical Analyses
• Machine Learning Models
• Data Visualization
• Research Translation

Soft Skills

• Communication Skills
• Mentoring
• Project Management

Industry Keywords

• Media Studies
• Journalism
• Information Ecosystem
• Democracy Promotion
• Academic Institutions
• Think Tanks
• Research Institutions