Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About the role

The Penn Environmental Politics Lab seeks a post-doctoral research fellow to support a two-year research project, beginning in July 2026. This one-year appointment, with possibility for renewal for a second year contingent on performance and availability of funding, is designed for a social scientist who has recently completed (by July 2026) a PhD in political science, economics, public policy, sociology, environmental studies, or a related field. The fellow will be based at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and will work closely with PI Parrish Bergquist. They will have access to Penn’s research community including seminars, workshops, and symposia hosted by the political science department, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, Perry World House, the Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies, the Annenberg Center for Public Policy, the Wharton Climate Center, and many other centers and departments. While physically based in Philadelphia, the fellow will also engage regularly with the full research team at Stanford University, the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University.

Responsibilities

• Lead or co-lead data collection efforts for one or more work packages, including conducting elite interviews, designing and implementing surveys and interviews with clean energy manufacturing executives and workers, and conducting background research and fieldwork in communities hosting new manufacturing facilities.
• Collaborate with the research team to analyze data and produce academic manuscripts and policy-relevant outputs.
• Pursue independent research questions emerging from the project in coordination with the PIs.
• Occasionally travel to study sites across the US to conduct fieldwork.

Compensation and Benefits

• Stipend: Commensurate with University of Pennsylvania guidelines, currently set at $67,000/year
• Benefits: Full health insurance package per University of Pennsylvania policy

Desired Qualifications

• A record of research on American politics, energy and climate policy, American political economy, or a closely related area
• Experience conducting original empirical research, preferably using both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Strong writing skills and a track record of producing scholarly work for publication
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including experience conducting interviews or other fieldwork
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and timelines simultaneously
• Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative, multi-institutional team environment

How To Apply

To apply, please upload the following materials to: https://apply.interfolio.com/184237

• cover letter describing interest in the project and your relevant experience
• CV
• three letters of recommendation
• writing sample

Please direct questions to PI Parrish Bergquist at pberg@sas.upenn.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.