Research Assistant Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
Research Assistant jobs in Philadelphia are concentrated in University City, Center City, and the health sciences corridor in West Philadelphia, driven by major demand in academic research, healthcare, and life sciences. Employers actively hiring include University of Pennsylvania, The Wistar Institute, and Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs. Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change.
Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Job no: 507271 Work type: Part-Time Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA Categories: College of Nursing and Health Professions Job Summary Dr. Safiyyah Okoye is seeking a research assistant to support projects related to health, physical function, and well-being of low-income older adults and their family caregivers. Dr. Okoye’s academic mission is to conduct high quality, innovative research that generates knowledge and solutions related to improving the health and well-being of socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults in the US (and their families). The ideal candidate should be comfortable with conducting literature reviews, organizing information in excel spreadsheets and drafting and proof-reading written documents. The goals of her lab group are to: 1) conduct exploratory research; 2) build an evidence base for the relationship between housing conditions and older adult health and well-being; 3) identify intervention targets; 4) build relationships with community partners in different sectors; 5) launch Dr. Okoye as a successful independent scientist; 6) develop new scientists to make their mark on the world. Dr. Okoye’s lab group values cooperation and mutual support, work that is engaging and interesting, continual learning and growing, and developing and demonstrating our members’ talents and skills. This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds. Essential Functions Secondary data analysis research support o Support scoping review project Document screening and extraction Set up Covidence templates Be knowledgeable about and support team in applying scoping review best practices o Data analysis Assist with organizing and coding of data from scoping review Assist with organizing and coding of quantitative data from secondary analyses - Human subject research support Assist with IRB applications, modifications, and renewals Assist with creation of recruitment materials and other study materials Assist with screening of potential participants and scheduling of study visits Collect data from study participants, using surveys and semi-structured interviews Assist with organizing and coding of qualitative data General research support Contribute to manuscripts and grant applications Conduct informal literature reviews and produce summaries to guide project development Draft and edit sections of manuscripts Generate and edit tables and other data visualizations (e.g., graphs, charts) Other administrative duties as needed Required Qualifications Minimum of a Master's Degree Minimum of 1+ years of experience. Well-organized, competent and excited to contribute to research on older adult health and social determinants of health Expert in reading and writing in English Proficiency in conducting basic statistical analysis and using statistical analysis software (SAS, Stata, R or equivalent) Intermediate or higher level skills in Microsoft Office Suite Preferred Qualifications Experience doing literature reviews Experience with Covidence software Comfort with reading scientific publications Proficiency in quantitative data analysis Proficiency in qualitative methods, data collection and analysis – or interest in learning Proficiency in data and information visualization Physical Demands Typically sitting at a desk/table Location University City - Philadelphia, PA Additional Information This is a Part-Time temporary position classified as Non-Exempt. The offered pay is based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Per Diem/Casual/Temporary Benefit Fact Sheet. Special Instructions to the Applicant Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified. Advertised: Sep 15 2026 Eastern Daylight Time Applications close: Oct 15 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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Find Research Assistant JobsResearch Assistant Job Market in Philadelphia
Who's Hiring
- University of Pennsylvania20

- The Wistar Institute13

- Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health10

- Temple University Health System8

- Fox Chase Farm- School District of Philadelphia5F
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services10
- Education8
- Science & Research8
Research Assistant Jobs in Philadelphia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research assistant job in Philadelphia?
Focus your search on University City, where Penn, Drexel, and Jefferson anchor one of the densest concentrations of research institutions on the East Coast. Philadelphia's strongest hiring comes from academic medical centers, pharmaceutical and biotech firms in the Navy Yard and Upper Merion area, and public health agencies downtown. Candidates with hands-on lab experience, IRB protocol familiarity, or data analysis skills in R or Python consistently stand out in this market.
Which companies hire research assistants in Philadelphia?
Companies currently hiring research assistants in Philadelphia include University of Pennsylvania, The Wistar Institute, and Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Philadelphia's employer mix skews heavily toward academic medical centers, health systems, and research-intensive universities, alongside a growing cluster of life sciences and clinical trial firms.
Are there remote research assistant jobs in Philadelphia?
Yes, but availability depends heavily on the role type. Hands-on lab, clinical, or fieldwork positions are almost always on-site, while survey research, data coding, literature review, and qualitative analysis roles are far more remote-friendly. About 67% of research assistant openings tied to Philadelphia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the highest remote share found in social science, public health, and policy research positions.
How can I get a research assistant job in Philadelphia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Philadelphia is through a university research lab or hospital-affiliated study. Penn, Drexel, Temple, and Jefferson all hire undergraduate and post-baccalaureate research assistants, and those roles are explicitly structured for candidates without prior professional experience. Volunteering with a clinical trial unit or community health organization in Philadelphia also builds the IRB and data-collection credentials that paid positions require. A strong science GPA or a relevant capstone project carries real weight with local academic employers.
Which industries hire the most research assistants in Philadelphia?
The sectors hiring the most research assistants in Philadelphia are Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Philadelphia's position as a major academic medicine hub, combined with its growing life sciences cluster and several federally funded public health institutions, consistently drives demand for research support roles across those fields.
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