Temporary Research Assistant

Job Summary

Project Timeline: This paid temporary research assistant position (up to 20 hours/week) runs from July 1, 2026, to August 31, 2026.
Brief Overview of Project’s Background and Goals

The State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The goal of the SEOW is to inform and enhance state and community decisions regarding substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion programs, practices, and policies. As part of SEOW, this project aims to produce reports, data briefs, and other documents that examine substance misuse and mental health trends in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to inform providers and coalitions at the state, local, and community level. With its publications, the SEOW seeks to influence future strategic planning to address substance misuse and mental health across Pennsylvania.

The following are past reports that research assistants have helped produce (accessible by link):
• Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup. (January 2018). Alcohol access and use among youth in Pennsylvania prior to Act 39. Available at: http://drexel.edu/~/media/Files/dornsife/News/SEOW_Alcohol_January2018_FINAL.ashx?la=e
• Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup. (July 2018). The changing landscape of marijuana in Pennsylvania: examining access, use, and perceptions. Available at: https://drexel.edu/~/media/Files/dornsife/SEOW%20Marijuana%20Report%202018.ashx?la=en
• Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup. (2024). Emerging Drug Trends: Adulterants and Novel Psychoactive Substances in Pennsylvania. Available at https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/ddap/documents/documents/seow/2024%20emerging%20drug%20trends%20in%20pa.pdf
• Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup. (2024). Harm Reduction in Pennsylvania: Policies, Needs and Services. Available at https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/ddap/documents/documents/seow/2024%20harm%20reduction%20in%20pa.pdf

This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.   

Essential Functions

• Compile and analyze existing data related to substance use/misuse and mental health in Pennsylvania;
• Produce literature reviews on specific topics related to substance use/misuse and mental health;
• Compare Pennsylvania substance misuse policies to other state and nationwide policies;
• Help produce data briefs on substance use/misuse and mental health in Pennsylvania; • Attend weekly project meetings;
• Attend quarterly SEOW meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master's Degree in Public Health
• Minimum of 2 years of experience
• Interest in substance use/misuse and mental health in Pennsylvania;
• Excellent academic writing and report composition skills;
• Teamwork, ability to meet deadlines, attention to detail;
• Ability to collect data from a variety of sources;
• Data visualization (Excel) and presentation (PowerPoint or Tableau) skills;
• Experience or interest in using Canva or other graphic design tools;
• Experience or interest in using ArcGIS or other mapping software is a plus.

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.