Graduate Research Analyst

Job Summary

The Nowak Metro Finance Lab at the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University is seeking applicants for a Graduate Research Analyst internship for the summer of 2024. The Graduate Research Analyst will work directly with Bruce Katz, founding Director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab, and his team of Research Officers, in developing original research for publication and application with our network of practitioner partners.

The Nowak Lab is leading a series of major initiatives helping city and state leaders respond to the complex challenges and opportunities driven by reshoring of manufacturing, decarbonization of energy assets and electrification of mobility, remilitarization and increases in defense spending, the acceleration of remote work, the and the rise of parasitic capital in city and suburban housing markets, all while unprecedented federal investments flows compel cities to organize themselves in radically different ways. The Nowak Lab works directly with state and local leaders, as well as partners organizations like the Aspen Institute’s Latinos and Society Program and Accelerator for America, which share and promote our work and elevate the potential for rapid replication and adaptation of successful models.

Summer 2024 Projects Include

• Mapping Manufacturing Ecosystems: analyzing geographic and commercial relationships between large companies, small suppliers, energy and logistics infrastructure, R&D universities, skill-providing community colleges, in collaboration and federal, state, and local governments and business organizations to help maximize the inclusive and sustainable potential of the industrial/energy transition.
• Procurement Playbooks: actionable reports which (a) diagnose the current spending patterns and practices of key public entities and private sector entities (e.g., utilities); and (b) recommend strategies to enable local and disadvantaged enterprises to take full advantage of contracting opportunities and scale their firms by engaging ecosystems of procurement entities, business chambers, entrepreneurial support organizations, and capital providers.
• Climate Transition: identify vulnerable supply chain firms in legacy sectors for the purpose of designing a supplier adjustment program.
• Investment Playbooks: design plans to harness unprecedented volume of federal spending rewards cities and communities by identifying high priority projects in specific geographic locations that can be matched to specific funding opportunities, including commercial and innovation corridors, central business districts and broader industrial areas.
• Innovation Districts: study how innovation districts can support the reshoring of production, through corporate and academy campuses that give manufacturing firms access to applied research and skilled workers.
• Housing Solutions Bank: codify cutting edge financial approaches to the production and preservation of affordable housing.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Perform original research, data analysis and develop strategies related to Lab’s areas of focus.
• Analyze and synthesize research findings into memos, white papers, and reports.
• Develop at least one newsletter or report to be co-authored with the Director and/or Lab staff.
• Communicate and coordinate with internal staff and external stakeholders via email and phone to ensure deliverable timelines and expectations are met.
• Work with the Lab staff to coordinate graphic design efforts for report products.
• Other related duties as necessary.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in real estate finance, public finance, city/regional planning (with a focus on public-private partnerships), urban strategy, business administration, public policy, or another allied field.
• Must be currently enrolled in a graduate-level, degree-seeking program.
• Ability to be a creative thinker and problem-solver.
• Ability to be a highly organized self-starter.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• Strong research, writing and communication skills to synthesize complex research into digestible findings.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to travel to Philadelphia once or twice during assignment.
  
  

Location

• Remote
  
  

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 on our benefits offerings please review the 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.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.