Data Science- AWS Graduate Student Research Assistant (Wharton Impact)

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

Data Science- AWS Graduate Student Research Assistant (Wharton Impact)

Job Profile Title

Research Assistant A

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Wharton's Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative (Wharton Impact) is looking to hire a Graduate-Level Research Assistant with excellent data science skills, exposure to AWS, and a keen interest in natural, human, and social capital and their impacts on risk, opportunity, and sustainable business. We are looking for a student to work part- time (15-20 hrs/wk) during the upcoming academic year, with the option to extend mutual interest between RA and supervisor.

The Data Science Research Assistant(s) may be expected to work on one or more of the following tasks during their time with Wharton Impact.

• Helping to maintain and query large datasets of impact, sentiment, and economic data.

• Amassing detailed dossiers of the financial materiality of ESG factors including, but not limited to, indigenous rights, the climate transition, and labor practices.

• Constructing and maintaining large datasets focusing on firm- and country- level business risks and events.

• Other Impact-related research as needed by ESG Initiative affiliated Principal Investigators.

Requisite skills and interests for competitive Research Assistant(s) candidates:

• Data Management and Analysis: Proficiency in Python, R, Stata, or similar tools for statistical and econometric analysis. Advanced data integration skills, including fuzzy matching and merging large datasets across multiple levels.

• AWS and Database Management: Familiarity with AWS services like S3 and Sagemaker for data processing and storage.

• Geospatial Analysis: Familiarity with ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent tools to analyze spatial data (e.g., converting .tif files to point estimates) a plus.

• Data Visualization: Expertise in creating maps, heatmaps, bubble charts, and other simple graphs.

• Network Analysis: Knowledge of identifying communities and calculating network link measures.

• Interest in Impact and Sustainable Business: Strong passion for understanding and addressing business risk, opportunity, and sustainability.

This role is open to graduate students only, please reach out to Wharton Impact Research Manager, Alex Pappas (alexpap@wharton.upenn.edu) if you have questions about this role.

Job Location - City, State