Research Support Specialist

About the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures

A new and exciting institution being built at Cornell University, the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures (RJEF), is Cornell's hub for research and engagement that builds towards a more just world. RJEF is a university wide center focused on three core pillars: faculty, students, and community. Through supporting research, facilitating engagement, strengthening communities of learning, and advancing specific initiatives around issues of urgent importance, RJEF will leverage the knowledge and capacities of Cornell faculty, students, and institutions to positively impact the world.

The Opportunity

The Research Support Specialist will support research functions of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. Reporting directly to the RJEF Director, the Research Support Specialist will work independently while collaborating with various stakeholders across multiple colleges, units, and programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to and author applied and academic research projects in collaboration with RJEF community partners, faculty, staff, and students.
• Identify, collect, compile, and analyze publicly available data.
• Build policy and other databases.
• Write and edit research reports.
• Analyze current research and policies.
• Compile information and statistics supporting ongoing community engaged research projects.
• Work directly with partners to identify their research needs and to co-develop research plans with RJEF partner organizations.

This is a remote, part-time (70%) position with an initial appointment through June 30, 2026. The position may be renewed contingent on available funding, available work and successful performance.

What We Need

We are looking for a team member who is passionate about racial justice and culturally competent. Additionally, you will:

• Hold a Bachelor's degree with at least two years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Have experience conducting research and analysis related to policy.
• Have demonstrated ability to build research and policy-related databases.
• Have experience in translating research/evaluation and complex concepts for a general audience.
• Have ability to work on multidisciplinary teams, providing creative and critical independent thinking while considering diverse opinions and approaches.
• Have experience or internship working with community organizations at the local, state, or national level.
• Have familiarity with housing policy, tenant organizing, and government data resources.
• Be able to manage multiple competing deadlines and be flexible with changing work priorities.
• Be capable of working independently with limited supervision.
• Be capable of working in a collaborative environment.
• Have excellent verbal, written, phone and public presentation skills.
• Have 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).
• Have experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Be passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't:

• Master's or advanced degree in public policy, law, labor relations, or related discipline.

• Significant experience with policy analysis.

• Significant experience working with community-based organizations.

• Experience with policy and demographic data collection and analysis.

A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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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

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.