APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

 

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

 

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Research Translation Platform invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar interested in a career at the research-policy nexus supporting the translation of scientific evidence to policymakers. This exciting opportunity would support an embedded policy fellowship placement to train a Postdoctoral Scholar in the implementation and evaluation of research translation models, such as the Research-to-Policy Collaboration model. The Scholar would be responsible for implementing an effective, replicable and non-partisan model for brokering researchers and policymakers in an assigned region(s), in addition to supporting multiple projects and data analysis as assigned.  

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JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Frequently meeting with legislators or staff about their policy goals, priorities and research needs  
• Identify and recruit research-oriented professionals with subject matter expertise into RPC’s Rapid Response Network and coach them in policy engagement   
• Act as relationship broker and build, lead, and maintain partnerships between researchers and policymakers via rapid response meetings to respond to legislative requests for research-based information  
• Write, edit, and review evidence-based communication materials (fact sheets, policy briefs, op-eds, blog posts) tailored for non-academic and policy audience  
• Organize panels, roundtables, or briefings for policymakers  
• Outreach with partnering organizations or those engaged in relevant advocacy activities to coordinate our response to legislative requests  
• Quasi-academic activities include thorough tracking and reporting activities, managing relevant data, and contributing to publications   
• As needed, analyze data regarding policymakers’ or researchers’ engagement in boundary-spanning initiatives 
• May be called upon to support grant writing and other development activities that support the sustainability of the Platform  
• Supervise and train interns and fellows   
• Time spent on any particular task area may shift based on need. 

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REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Applied research experience with an enthusiasm and commitment to accelerating the translation of science to policy.  
• Curiosity and a generalist attitude with interest in diverse social policy issues   
• Experience in building and maintaining partnerships or collaborations  
• Strong diplomatic communication and interpersonal skills.   
• Solid writing skills tailored for a non-academic audience   
• Abilit