JobTarget Logo

Research Assistant: Business Improvement Districts in Villanova, Pennsylvania at Villanova University

NewSalary: $15159.00 - $15159.00/hrJob Function: Research
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085, United States
Posted on
New job! Apply early to increase your chances of getting hired.

Explore Related Opportunities

Logisticians and Project Management Specialists jobs near me in PennsylvaniaJobs near me in PennsylvaniaLogisticians and Project Management Specialists jobs

Job Description

Villanova University
Research Assistant: Business Improvement Districts

Posting Details

Do you have questions about the application process? If so, please refer to the Applicant FAQ’s.

Position Information
Posting Number:20260302V
Position Title:Research Assistant: Business Improvement Districts
Posting TypeStudent
Hours/week:8–10
Eligibility:Work Study ONLY
Semester2026-2027 Academic Year
Location Garey Hall
Detailed Work Schedule
The student will work up to 159 hours over the course of the appointment, beginning September 1, 2026. Work hours are flexible and will average approximately 8–10 hours per week, depending on the phase of the project and the student’s availability. Student is expected to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner and participate in regular meetings with the faculty supervisor, Dr. Theodore Arapis, to discuss project progress, review deliverables, and receive guidance.


Number of positions:1
Department:192 - Public Administration
Contact Name:Theo Arapis
Contact Phone/Extension:(610) 519-3878
Position Summary Information
Job Description Summary:
The Undergraduate Research Assistant will work with Dr. Theodore Arapis on a funded research project examining how Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) influence municipal spending and urban governance in the 100 largest U.S. cities. The project will develop the first national dataset of BIDs by collecting and coding information on governance structures, service delivery, and organizational characteristics, which will be integrated with municipal financial data for statistical analysis.

Key responsibilities include:
  • Conducting literature reviews on Business Improvement Districts, municipal finance, and urban governance.

  • Collecting and coding data from publicly available sources, including municipal ordinances, annual reports, bylaws, and organizational websites.

  • Assisting with the construction, verification, and documentation of a national BID dataset.
  • Supporting data management, cleaning, and preparation for statistical analysis.

  • Assisting with the preparation of tables, figures, conference presentations, and manuscripts for publication.

  • Participating in regular meetings with the faculty supervisor to discuss project progress and research activities.
Requirements:
  • Enrollment in Villanova’s PSA program
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Word and Excel.
  • Familiarity with Statistical software, particularly STATA.
  • Capacity and interest to learn skills in research, writing, and collaboration.

Additional Information:
This position is supported through a Villanova University internal research grant. The selected student will receive paid research experience while working closely with the faculty investigator on all phases of the project, including data collection, dataset development, and analysis. The project is expected to culminate in a manuscript submitted to a leading public administration journal. Students who make a substantial intellectual contribution to the research will be recognized as co-authors on resulting scholarly publications, consistent with accepted academic authorship standards.


Physical Demands Summary:
Not applicable.

Wage Rate:Hourly wage of $15/hour for approximately 159 hours
Posting Detail Information
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):09/01/2026
Open Until FilledYes
Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Are you currently a registered Villanova student?
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * Are you eligible for work study?
    • Yes
    • No
    • I don't know
  3. * I understand that satisfactory attendance in all academic classes is required to maintain student employment at Villanova University.
    • Yes
    • No
  4. * Have you ever worked on campus before? If “Y”, what department and semester/year?

    (Open Ended Question)

  5. * What is your availability (days, times)?

    (Open Ended Question)

Optional Applicant Documents:
Required Documents
  1. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Optional Documents

    Job Location

    Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085, United States

    Frequently asked questions about this position

    Similar Jobs In Villanova, Pennsylvania

    Hot Job

    Industrial Mechanical Estimator & Project Manager

    GSM Industrial
    Lancaster, Pennsylvania
    Hot Job

    Development Director

    Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

    Forklift Operator Second Shift

    Franklin Storage, L.P.
    Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

    Logistics Coordinator

    Hadco Metal Trading Co LLC
    Bensalem, Pennsylvania

    CDL Class A Driver

    Classic Rock
    McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
    Continue to apply
    Enter your email to continue. You’ll be redirected to the employer’s application.
    By clicking Continue, you understand and agree to JobTarget's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.