Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - NYC

Cornell University; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Research Support Specialist in its Climate Jobs Institute. This role focuses on the intersection of labor, employment, and climate change, supporting research and policy work. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree, strong legal research skills, and the ability to work collaboratively while managing multiple tasks effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and two to four years of relevant experience.
• Experience with legal research and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects: writing reports, analyzing policies.
• Conduct legal and policy analysis using tools like Lexis and Westlaw.
• Engage with public through presentations at conferences.

Skills

Legal research

Writing research reports

Collaboration

Public presentations

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Lexis

Westlaw

PowerSuite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - NYC

Join to apply for the Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - NYC role at Cornell University

Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - NYC

Join to apply for the Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - NYC role at Cornell University

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

This position is located in New York, NY, within the ILR School located at 570 Lexington Avenue.

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University has an immediate opening for a Research Support Specialist – Research Support Specialist C06 in the Climate Jobs Institute in the Extension/Outreach Division with a focus on the intersection of labor, employment, and climate change.

Our Team

The Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University’s ILR School is guiding New York’s and the nation’s transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy that tackles the climate crisis, creates high-quality union jobs, which cultivates and develops inclusive and equitable working relationships.

Through cutting-edge policy research, deep relationships with on-the-ground partners, and innovative training and education programs, the Institute provides the information that policymakers, the labor and environmental movements, industry leaders and others need to navigate this historic transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The Climate Jobs Institute serves as the academic and educational partner to the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, providing research, policy and educational support to coalitions of unions in numerous U.S. states.

What You’ll Do As a Research Support Specialist

As a Research Support Specialist at the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI), you’ll play a key role in supporting our research and policy work focused on climate, labor, and equity. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys digging into complex topics, collaborating with others, and making a real-world impact.

Here’s what your work will involve but not limited to:

• Research & Writing: You’ll contribute to and lead research projects—writing reports, analyzing policies, and reviewing literature. You’ll also help gather and analyze data from fieldwork, archives, and other sources.
• Legal & Policy Analysis: You’ll use tools like Lexis, Westlaw, and PowerSuite to research legal and regulatory issues in areas like labor, energy, and employment law. Your findings will help shape policy recommendations at the local, state, and national levels.
• Collaboration & Support: You’ll work closely with CJI faculty, staff, and ILR students, and help mentor undergraduate fellows. You’ll also support educational programs by preparing materials and presentations.
• Public Engagement: You’ll attend and present at conferences, workshops, and public events. You may also help write media articles and edit grant proposals to support our communications and funding efforts.
  
  

A full job description is available upon request. Please email Brenda L. Herrling at [e-mail] .

This is a term, full-time, bargaining unit position that falls under the NYC ILR Extension exempt CWA contract.

The position is for up to a two-year term, with an initial term ending June 30, 2026. The term will automatically renew for the second year through June 30, 2027, contingent upon available funding. Reappointment for additional terms is possible based on successful performance, available work and continued funding.

The position is based in Cornell University, New York City ILR Extension office located at 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022.

More information about the ILR School can be obtained at our web site, http://www.ilr.cornell.edu and Climate Jobs Institute at https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/climate-jobs-institute

What We Need

• Bachelor’s degree and two to four years of relevant experience, education, or equivalent combination.
• Experience conducting legal research and analysis in a law firm, legal department, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated ability to write research reports/manuscripts for publication using appropriate style guides.
• Extensive experience with editing documents and research reports for publication.
• Ability to prepare presentations, create slides, and craft documents for educational programs and trainings.
• Experience in translating research/evaluation and complex concepts for a general audience.
• Ability to work on multidisciplinary teams, providing creative and critical independent thinking while also considering diverse opinions and approaches.
• Experience or internship working with unions, labor boards, or academic labor programs.
• Experience with internet, Lexis/Westlaw, and library searches.
• Good familiarity with many of the following areas including labor unions, especially building trade and energy sector unions, worker organizing and collective bargaining contracts, climate protection and clean energy policy, renewable energy and other low-carbon economic sectors, low-wage precarious work and inequality, and union and worker training programs.
• Must be able to manage multiple competing deadlines and be flexible with changing work priorities.
• Capable of working independently for long stretches of time with limited supervision.
• Capable of working in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, telephone and public presentation skills.
• Advanced experience with preparing, creating, and transforming academic citations in multiple formats such as APA, MLA, and Bluebook.
• Experience and skill using and learning different software packages and web-based tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Zoom or videoconferencing software, Lexis Nexis, library databases, and Qualtrics).
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
  
  

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Master’s or advanced degree in public policy, law, labor relations, or related discipline.
• Prior experience working in climate change, labor, or policy communication.
• Four to five years of experience in research and/or program evaluation environment.
• Experience working in a team environment, providing collaborative input, and contributing support to creative database projects.
• Ability to manage large datasets and extrapolate from data for use in public policy analysis.
• Knowledge of the construction industry, public sector procurements, or union organizing.
• Extensive knowledge of the offshore wind industry including the manufacturing supply chain, emerging clean energy technologies, New York state public policy on climate and offshore wind, and labor standards for renewable and clean energy projects.
• Research experience with reviewing and examining collective bargaining agreements.
• Capability to perform public policy research and understand the decision-making and law-making process of multiple states, federal, and international contexts.
• Knowledge of Canva and InDesign is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Spanish (or other foreign languages).
  
  

Salary per CWA exempt bargaining unit contract: $64,350 through June 30, 2025.

ILR School appreciates employees by providing the opportunity for 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid schedule.

If interested in applying, we welcome you to include a cover letter and resume with your application to highlight your interest and experience for the position.

No sponsorship for an employment visa is available for this position. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

University Job Title

Research Support Spec C06

Job Family

Communication Wkrs of America

Level

C06

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Company

Contract College

Contact Name

Brenda Herrling

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline
  
  

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [e-mail].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice [phone], or email at [e-mail].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [e-mail].

Notice To Applicants

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2025-06-05

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Higher Education

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Cornell University by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Research Support Specialist” roles.

Research Support Specialist C07 - NYC (2 openings)

Research Laboratory and Operations Assistant

New York City Metropolitan Area $140,000.00-$190,000.00 4 weeks ago

Research Assistant | Laboratory of Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry

New York, NY $50,000.00-$55,000.00 15 hours ago

Research Assistant | Laboratory of Cell Cycle Genetics

Research Laboratory and Operations Assistant

New York, NY $60,001.00-$64,328.00 4 weeks ago

Research Support Associate | Genomics Resource Center

New York, NY $41,595.00-$49,591.00 4 months ago

Research Assistant | Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology

New York, NY $50,000.00-$55,000.00 4 days ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.