Part-Time Research Assistant

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Professors Steiner, Ambrose and Gustafson are looking to hire a part-time research assistant to support a joint research project. The project is about the effects of environmental policy uncertainty on households’ investments in sustainable home upgrades. The research assistant would be expected to work on average 5 hours per week.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Data collection
• Data analysis

A key part of the project is constructing an index of environmental policy uncertainty. This index will follow the methodology outlined here: http://www.policyuncertainty.com.

However, in contrast to the economic policy uncertainty index described on the website, our index will focus on environmental policy, and it should be on the state-level or ideally MSA-level rather than nationwide.

We are looking for a research assistant to take the methodology behind the economic policy uncertainty index and adapt it (under our guidance) to construct state- and local-level environmental policy uncertainty indices.

The work needs to be completed by the end of the spring semester 2025. Once the indices have been constructed, we hope to build a website for them and turn them into a regular research product like my co-author’s alternative inflation index here: https://sites.psu.edu/inflation/ We are also thinking about building an application for interested researchers to access and use the indices based on our data, etc.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Background in computer science and/or data analytics
• Background in economics, finance, and/or real estate
• Python proficiency

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

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Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

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