University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
Posted Job Title
Part-Time Social Media & Marketing Associate - Community for Rigor (C4R) - Penn Engineering
Job Profile Title
Social Media Specialist
Job Description Summary
The Community for Rigor (C4R) is a growing and innovative team at the University of Pennsylvania with the goal of transforming research practices through effective educational materials. We envision a global community in which every scientist has the attitude, training, and reflection that enables them to do great rigorous science. Community for Rigor is a 5-year funded project from NINDS, and operates as a hub that coordinates the efforts of multiple partner institutions.
Position Summary
The Social Media & Marketing Associate will play a key role in expanding C4R’s visibility and engagement across digital platforms. You’ll help plan and produce content that promotes C4R’s educational materials, programs, and events through social media, newsletters, and marketing campaigns. The role will also contribute to planning and executing the annual C4R Conference, as well as C4R’s presence at other national and international events.
This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys social media, storytelling, design, and strategic thinking — and wants to help shape the voice and reach of a growing global community.
Job Description
What You’ll Do
Digital Communications & Social Media (50%)
- Create and manage engaging content for our social media channels(LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky, Slack).
- Create eye-catching visuals, infographics, simple animations and short videos for social media, using our existing brand and design assets.
- Write short blog posts, news updates, or feature stories highlighting C4R’s resources, community, and events.
- Manage and grow C4R’s YouTube channel — including uploading videos, optimizing titles and descriptions, creating thumbnails, organizing playlists, and experimenting with strategies to grow subscribers and engagement.
- Help update and maintain the C4R website using Webflow — including uploading new content, adding blog posts and campaign promos, and making changes when required.
- Track analytics and engagement to help us understand what resonates and where we can grow.
- Keep our brand voice consistent, positive, and welcoming.
Email & Newsletter (10%)
- Help design our monthly newsletter and updates.
- Support list management and engagement tracking.
Event & Conference Support (25%)
- Assist in planning and promoting the C4R Conference and other national or international events.
- Design promotional materials and digital assets.
- Support event logistics and communications before, during, and after events.
- Coordinate with partners, vendors, speakers, and venues as needed to ensure smooth execution.
Campaign Strategy & Outreach (15%)
- Contribute ideas and support for promotional and outreach campaigns.
- Identify and help us connect with new audiences and networks in creative ways.
- Other related duties and special projects may be assigned as needed to support C4R’s communications and community engagement goals.
What We’re Looking For
Required
- We’re looking for someone who brings positive energy, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit — a good attitude goes a long way on our small, creative team.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, design, or a related field and 2 to 3 years of experience in social media content creation and management or an equivalent combination of education and experience,.
- Strong graphic design and layout skills (Figma & Illustrator proficiency ideally).
- Experience with YouTube management — creating & uploading, analytics, thumbnails, playlists, and growth strategies.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively — including in person on Tuesdays at our Philadelphia office.
- A proactive, creative approach to storytelling and digital engagement.
- Basic familiarity with HTML/CSS or the ability to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to generate or modify code for simple web or design tasks.
Nice to Have
- Experience in academic, nonprofit, or science communication settings.
- Familiarity with SEO, analytics, or digital advertising tools.
- Experience with Webflow for website management.
- Basic video editing or motion graphics skills.
- Familiarity with Monday.com CRM platform.
- An interest in science communication, scientific rigor, reproducibility, or open science.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Please Provide
- Your resume or CV.
- A short cover letter telling us why you’re interested in this role and what you’d bring to the team.
- Include in your cover letter: 2–3 examples of your work (graphics, social media posts, visuals, or campaigns, blog posts, YouTube channels contributions — links or attachments).
Department / School
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Pay Range
$55,000.00 - $36,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
- Health and Life: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
- Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
- Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
- Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
- University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
- Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
- Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
