Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Research Specialist jobs in Pennsylvania are in steady demand, concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and life sciences, healthcare systems, and public policy, with openings ranging from entry-level research assistant through senior investigator roles. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the greater Lehigh Valley are the primary hiring centers, anchored by institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, UPMC, and Merck. The most sought-after specialties in Pennsylvania include clinical research coordination, biomedical and translational research, and policy analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Research and Evaluation Specialist
This position is at the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), a multi-disciplinary center for research to advance the science of learning by bringing together leading researchers in the cognitive, developmental, social, and educational sciences.
The primary responsibility of this position is to assist with a longitudinal research study examining how family socioeconomic circumstances relate to differences in adolescent cardiovascular health. The study consists of a virtual health assessment with adolescent-parent dyads followed by a 7-day remote monitoring period for the collection of objective measures of health behaviors. Data collection will be primarily virtual.
Job duties include contacting past participants for longitudinal study participation, scheduling study visits, administering physiological assessments, conducting health interviews, retaining accurate records and files, managing databases, building and maintaining rapport and communication with participating families.
Baccalaureate degree required in psychology or related field; at least 1 year research experience in developmental or biological-health psychology; at least 1 year of experience working with adolescent children ages 16-19 years-old; Must have basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet search); attention to detail and ability to multi-task are required.
Coordinates research and evaluation activities related to family engagement and child welfare and supports the design, development, and coordination of data collection in research and evaluation activities Ensures accuracy and timelines of data collection procedures, conducts quality assurance processes, evaluates and summarizes findings and crafts conclusion reports. Recommends effective revisions of research procedures and ensures adherence to rules, policies, and regulations.
The incumbent must be able to work at a desk, interview and conduct health assessments with parent and adolescent participants virtually face-to-face over Zoom.
Position is predominately sedentary, and requires the incumbent to sit for prolonged periods of time.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Research and Evaluation Specialist
This position is at the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), a multi-disciplinary center for research to advance the science of learning by bringing together leading researchers in the cognitive, developmental, social, and educational sciences.
The primary responsibility of this position is to assist with a longitudinal research study examining how family socioeconomic circumstances relate to differences in adolescent cardiovascular health. The study consists of a virtual health assessment with adolescent-parent dyads followed by a 7-day remote monitoring period for the collection of objective measures of health behaviors. Data collection will be primarily virtual.
Job duties include contacting past participants for longitudinal study participation, scheduling study visits, administering physiological assessments, conducting health interviews, retaining accurate records and files, managing databases, building and maintaining rapport and communication with participating families.
Baccalaureate degree required in psychology or related field; at least 1 year research experience in developmental or biological-health psychology; at least 1 year of experience working with adolescent children ages 16-19 years-old; Must have basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet search); attention to detail and ability to multi-task are required.
Coordinates research and evaluation activities related to family engagement and child welfare and supports the design, development, and coordination of data collection in research and evaluation activities Ensures accuracy and timelines of data collection procedures, conducts quality assurance processes, evaluates and summarizes findings and crafts conclusion reports. Recommends effective revisions of research procedures and ensures adherence to rules, policies, and regulations.
The incumbent must be able to work at a desk, interview and conduct health assessments with parent and adolescent participants virtually face-to-face over Zoom.
Position is predominately sedentary, and requires the incumbent to sit for prolonged periods of time.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
See All 21 Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
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Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Specialist Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Pennsylvania11
- Penn State University2
- University of Pittsburgh2
- UPMC1
- S&T Bank1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, public health, or social sciences
- Experience designing and executing research studies or literature reviews
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Python
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, regulatory compliance, and research ethics standards
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports, publications, or grant materials
- Ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams in a university or healthcare setting
Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research specialist in Pennsylvania?
Most research specialist positions in Pennsylvania require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, psychology, public health, or a social science. Many roles, particularly in clinical research, expect candidates to hold or pursue a Certified Clinical Research Professional credential through the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Pennsylvania does not require a state-issued license for general research work, but clinical research roles at university medical centers and hospital systems like UPMC or Jefferson Health often require Good Clinical Practice training and IRB certification before hire.
Which companies hire research specialists in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring research specialists in Pennsylvania right now include University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, and University of Pittsburgh, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of major academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and policy research organizations makes it one of the more active research hiring markets in the northeastern United States.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most research specialist jobs?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and University Park lead Pennsylvania for research specialist openings. Philadelphia dominates because of its dense cluster of universities, hospital systems, and pharmaceutical headquarters, while Pittsburgh draws consistent demand from Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC's research divisions, and smaller hubs reflect regional anchor institutions and life sciences employers in the greater Lehigh Valley corridor.
Are there remote research specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, and more than many fields, though availability depends heavily on the sub-specialty. About 43% of research specialist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a genuine split in the market. Roles focused on literature review, data analysis, policy research, and survey design tend to be the most remote-compatible, while positions requiring laboratory work, clinical site coordination, or participant interaction remain primarily on-site.
How can I get hired as a research specialist in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a research coordinator or research assistant role at one of Pennsylvania's large academic medical centers, which regularly bring on candidates who are recent graduates or career changers. UPMC, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Thomas Jefferson University all run structured programs that pair early-career researchers with established investigators. Completing Good Clinical Practice training online and volunteering on a faculty-led study through a Pennsylvania university strengthens an application considerably before the first paid role.
Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the positions that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 21 Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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