Cornell University, Climate Jobs Institute

Research Support Specialist C06

Based in New York, NY

 

Hybrid | Full time | NYC ILR Extension Exempt CWA bargaining unit contract

About the Position
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.

Cornell appreciates employees with great rewards & benefits: 
Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions and superior retirement contributions.

Cornell understands that different individuals have different needs and concerns regarding salary, benefits, and rewards. That's why we’ve created a comprehensive and flexible program to meet your needs. For more information click here.

Apply Today: 
Submit your résumé 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. Get started at Job Seekers . Reference posting number: WDR-00060953