Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - Hybrid (NYC)

The position is based in Cornell University, New York City ILR Extension office located at 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022.

   

The Research Support Specialist C06 plays a key role in supporting CJI’s research portfolio across energy, buildings, transportation, industrial decarbonization, and climate resilience. Working closely with researchers, faculty, and partners, this position contributes to rigorous analysis, policy development, and public-facing materials that help drive climate action and equitable economic transformation.

This position offers flexibility based on the successful candidate's expertise and strengths. The role may focus on research, policy and legal analysis, quantitative analysis, or a combination of these areas. Regardless of specialization, success in this role requires the ability to synthesize and translate complex research, policy, legal, and data-driven findings into clear, accessible, and actionable materials for diverse audiences.

A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce high-quality research reports, policy briefs, publications, or other written products that are accurate, evidence-based, and relevant to labor, workforce, climate, or public policy issues.

• Synthesize and translate complex research, legal, policy, or data-driven information into clear, accessible materials for diverse audiences.

• Build and maintain productive relationships while working collaboratively with researchers, educators, labor organizations, community partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

• Successfully manage multiple projects and competing deadlines while maintaining a high level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.

• Apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis to support research initiatives, policy development, workforce strategies, or clean energy and economic equity solutions.

Who We Are

The Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) at Cornell University’s ILR School is a national leader supporting the transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy. Through cutting‑edge research, deep partnerships with labor and community organizations, and innovative educational programs, CJI provides policymakers, unions, and industry leaders with the insights they need to build a zero‑carbon future grounded in high-quality union jobs and climate justice.

Join a mission-driven team shaping some of the most important climate and labor policies in the country.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and two to four years of relevant experience, education, or equivalent combination.

• Familiarity with many of the following core areas: labor unions (including building trades and energy‑sector unions), worker organizing and collective bargaining agreements, climate protection and clean energy policy, renewable energy and low‑carbon economic sectors, low-wage and precarious work, economic inequality, and union or worker training programs.

• Demonstrated ability to write original research reports/manuscripts for publication using appropriate style guides. Extensive experience with editing and fact checking documents and research reports for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility. Strong ability to translate complex research, data, or evaluation findings into clear, engaging materials for general audiences. Experience conducting legal or policy research and analysis in a law firm, legal department, government agency, academic setting, or similar environment; familiarity with Lexis, Westlaw, InsightEngine, or comparable policy research tools. Familiarity with basic data analysis tools like Excel, Google Sheets, and Datawrapper.

• Ability to prepare clear, succinct, original presentations, create slides, and craft documents for educational programs and training.

• Excellent verbal, written, telephone and public presentation skills.

• Ability to work on multidisciplinary, collaborative teams, providing creative and critical independent thinking while also considering diverse opinions and approaches.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and be flexible and creative with changing work priorities.

• Capable of working independently for long stretches of time with limited supervision.

• Experience with preparing, creating, and converting academic citations in multiple formats such as Chicago and Bluebook.

• Familiarity with citation software management such as Zotero.

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or advanced degree in public policy, law, labor relations, energy policy or related disciplines.

• Prior experience working in climate or labor organizing, research or campaign support.

• Experience working in a team environment, providing collaborative input, and contributing support to creative database projects.

• Ability to manage large datasets and extrapolate from data for use in public policy analysis. Familiarity with Python, R, and GIS.

• Knowledge of the construction industry, public sector procurements, or union organizing.

• Extensive knowledge of emerging climate issues, technologies and their supply chains; climate equity and affordability issues; and/or public financing and scaling of clean energy solutions.

• Capability to perform public policy research and understand the decision-making and law-making process with an emphasis of understanding creative public policy approaches at the state and local level.

• Working knowledge of Spanish (or other foreign languages).

Why Join CJI at Cornell?

• Meaningful work with national visibility and real impact on climate and labor policy

• Hybrid flexibility within a collaborative, values-driven academic environment

• Opportunities to publish, present, and shape high‑profile research

• Engaged partnerships with labor unions, community advocates, and policymakers

• Competitive compensation and exceptional Cornell benefits, including generous time off, healthcare, retirement contributions, tuition benefits, caregiver support, and more

• Learn more: Cornell Benefits link below

More information about the ILR School can be obtained at our web site, http://www.ilr.cornell.edu and Climate Jobs Institute at https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/climate-jobs-institute

Salary per CWA exempt bargaining unit contract: $67,290.00.

ILR School appreciates employees by providing the opportunity for a 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid schedule.

Candidate Introduction Calls will begin September 09, 2026.

No relocation assistance or visa sponsorship is provided for this position.

This is a term, full-time, bargaining unit position that falls under the NYC ILR Extension exempt CWA contract.

The position is for an initial term ending June 30, 2027. The term is renewable contingent upon successful performance, available work and continued funding.

The position is based in Cornell University, New York City ILR Extension office located at 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022.

Apply Today: Submit your resume and a writing sample (3-5 pages). Applicants should upload their writing sample in the cover letter section of the application. This sample should showcase your writing, analytical, and communication skills. The writing samples should be your original work. Cornell University values authentic demonstrations of candidate capabilities; therefore, submitted materials should accurately reflect your own writing and critical thinking skills rather than content generated by artificial intelligence tools.

   

University Job Title:

Research Support Spec C06

   

Job Family:

Communication Wkrs of America

   

Level:

C06

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Contract College

   

Contact Name:

Brenda Herrling

   

Contact Email:

[email protected]

   

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-08-28