Research Foundation at City College of New York
Research Assistant/Graphic Designer
Research Foundation at City College of New York, New York, New York, us, 10261
General Description
The IlluminationSpace Hub at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Research Assistant/Graphic Designer to work closely with a lead researcher on an innovative project aimed at mapping the ecosystem of science outreach efforts within our community. The Research Assistant will play a key role in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholder interviews, participant narratives, and network visualizations into an interactive and visually engaging online interface. The purpose of this online tool is to illustrate the stories, impacts, outreach efforts, and gaps within the IlluminationSpace Hub's science outreach ecosystem, while also providing context on the Hub's current work and guiding its future directions.
The CUNY Advanced Science Research Center
The Advanced Science Research Center, located on the border of West and Central Harlem, is a state-of-the-art facility that supports research in five increasingly connected and critical areas of discovery: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental science. The CUNY ASRC opened its doors in 2014 with a mandate to elevate interdisciplinary science and education across CUNY's 25 campuses in the New York City metro area.
The IlluminationSpace Hub
Science communication, youth STEM education and community science are essential components of the ASRC's mission to nurture interdisciplinary research and education across CUNY and beyond. The ASRC IlluminationSpace Hub (IS Hub) - a Harlem-based Center for STEM Education, Outreach, and Science Communication - was created in response to this understanding. It aims to foster deep, ongoing collaboration between CUNY STEM and New York City communities, making science more responsive to local needs and providing pathways to STEM education and careers for underrepresented and under-resourced groups.
The IlluminationSpace Hub works in three programmatic areas, each providing CUNY faculty, students and New York City communities with resources and tools to drive STEM in the public interest:
Youth Interactive Classroom and Field Trips Community Sensor Lab Science Communication Academy Other Duties
Key Responsibilities
Interactive Ecosystem Mapping Collaborate with the lead researcher to create a visual and interactive map of the science outreach ecosystem using network analysis and visualization software. Integrate narratives and qualitative data into the map to tell compelling stories of participants and outreach efforts. Work closely with the researcher to ensure that the map highlights key outcomes, pathways of engagement, community impact, and areas for future development. Ensure that the map provides insights into the current outreach efforts and offers guidance for future directions in science outreach. Technical Development & Visualization Assist in developing and maintaining the online interactive interface, ensuring it is user-friendly and visually appealing. Work with team members to create engaging content and data visualizations that communicate key findings effectively. Ensure the online platform is updated regularly with new data and visual storytelling elements. Data Synthesis Synthesize data from various sources (interviews, participant narratives, identification of engagement pathways) into coherent visual narratives. Support the analysis of data using network visualization tools to map relationships, outreach impacts, and gaps within the ecosystem, that are then translated into visual elements. Qualifications
Expertise in website and/or interactive design. Proficiency in web development platforms or data visualization software. Familiarity with CMS management Familiarity with network visualization and mapping tools (e.g., Gephi, Cytoscape, or similar platforms) is a plus. Strong skills in data visualization and storytelling using both qualitative and quantitative data. Technical proficiency in creating interactive web content. Excellent organizational and communication skills with an ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Experience or interest in working with science outreach or informal science education programs is a plus. Bachelor's Degree is required; Masters degree students preferred. Hours and Compensation
This is a part-time temporary position that will start in January 2025 and will be completed no later than June 2025, and is expected to require 8 hours per week. The work can be done remotely, with the expectation of occasional in-person meetings. The compensation for this position is $35.00 per hour.
Application Process
This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative resource that will help shape the future of science outreach at the IlluminationSpace Hub.
Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your interest in the position, and relevant work samples. Should you have any questions, please send them to Catherine Cramer at Catherine.cramer63@login.cuny.edu.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
RFCUNY Benefits RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
About the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).
RFCUNY stands between CUNY's principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
The IlluminationSpace Hub at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Research Assistant/Graphic Designer to work closely with a lead researcher on an innovative project aimed at mapping the ecosystem of science outreach efforts within our community. The Research Assistant will play a key role in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholder interviews, participant narratives, and network visualizations into an interactive and visually engaging online interface. The purpose of this online tool is to illustrate the stories, impacts, outreach efforts, and gaps within the IlluminationSpace Hub's science outreach ecosystem, while also providing context on the Hub's current work and guiding its future directions.
The CUNY Advanced Science Research Center
The Advanced Science Research Center, located on the border of West and Central Harlem, is a state-of-the-art facility that supports research in five increasingly connected and critical areas of discovery: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental science. The CUNY ASRC opened its doors in 2014 with a mandate to elevate interdisciplinary science and education across CUNY's 25 campuses in the New York City metro area.
The IlluminationSpace Hub
Science communication, youth STEM education and community science are essential components of the ASRC's mission to nurture interdisciplinary research and education across CUNY and beyond. The ASRC IlluminationSpace Hub (IS Hub) - a Harlem-based Center for STEM Education, Outreach, and Science Communication - was created in response to this understanding. It aims to foster deep, ongoing collaboration between CUNY STEM and New York City communities, making science more responsive to local needs and providing pathways to STEM education and careers for underrepresented and under-resourced groups.
The IlluminationSpace Hub works in three programmatic areas, each providing CUNY faculty, students and New York City communities with resources and tools to drive STEM in the public interest:
Youth Interactive Classroom and Field Trips Community Sensor Lab Science Communication Academy Other Duties
Key Responsibilities
Interactive Ecosystem Mapping Collaborate with the lead researcher to create a visual and interactive map of the science outreach ecosystem using network analysis and visualization software. Integrate narratives and qualitative data into the map to tell compelling stories of participants and outreach efforts. Work closely with the researcher to ensure that the map highlights key outcomes, pathways of engagement, community impact, and areas for future development. Ensure that the map provides insights into the current outreach efforts and offers guidance for future directions in science outreach. Technical Development & Visualization Assist in developing and maintaining the online interactive interface, ensuring it is user-friendly and visually appealing. Work with team members to create engaging content and data visualizations that communicate key findings effectively. Ensure the online platform is updated regularly with new data and visual storytelling elements. Data Synthesis Synthesize data from various sources (interviews, participant narratives, identification of engagement pathways) into coherent visual narratives. Support the analysis of data using network visualization tools to map relationships, outreach impacts, and gaps within the ecosystem, that are then translated into visual elements. Qualifications
Expertise in website and/or interactive design. Proficiency in web development platforms or data visualization software. Familiarity with CMS management Familiarity with network visualization and mapping tools (e.g., Gephi, Cytoscape, or similar platforms) is a plus. Strong skills in data visualization and storytelling using both qualitative and quantitative data. Technical proficiency in creating interactive web content. Excellent organizational and communication skills with an ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Experience or interest in working with science outreach or informal science education programs is a plus. Bachelor's Degree is required; Masters degree students preferred. Hours and Compensation
This is a part-time temporary position that will start in January 2025 and will be completed no later than June 2025, and is expected to require 8 hours per week. The work can be done remotely, with the expectation of occasional in-person meetings. The compensation for this position is $35.00 per hour.
Application Process
This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative resource that will help shape the future of science outreach at the IlluminationSpace Hub.
Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your interest in the position, and relevant work samples. Should you have any questions, please send them to Catherine Cramer at Catherine.cramer63@login.cuny.edu.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
RFCUNY Benefits RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
About the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).
RFCUNY stands between CUNY's principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.