Part-Time Researcher

Background:

From storms that disrupt daily life to flash floods that threaten homes and infrastructure, the impacts of heavy rainfall are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. Rebuild by Design’s Rainproof NYC (http://rainproofnyc.org) is a city-wide initiative to fill the gaps and lead NYC to learn to live with increasingly heavy rainfall. Since 2021, Rebuild has been combining research, global inspiration, and convening hands-on collaboration across agencies, nonprofits, communities, and experts to chart a path to systematically transform our city into a sponge.

The Role:

Rebuild by Design and its partners will soon launch Rainproof University – a multi-sector climate leadership program focused on understanding and responding to New York City’s rapidly increasing heavy rainfall and designing community-based initiatives to save lives and livelihoods. Rebuild by Design is seeking to hire a part-time researcher to help with program development of Rainproof University, as well as other Rainproof NYC projects and Rebuild by Design initiatives. The Program Researcher will work directly with the Rainproof NYC Project Manager and other team members, and will be expected to participate in team meetings, Rainproof University planning meetings, and Rainproof University Sessions. Candidates must be available to work evening and weekend events as needed.

Who We Are Looking For:

Rebuild by Design is looking for someone who has experience in research and project management, with knowledge of New York City, its communities, and its climate challenges. Working with the Rainproof NYC Project Manager and other team members, the part time researcher will primarily support the design of Rainproof University.

Responsibilities:

• Support research to inform the structure of Rainproof University, including, but not limited to: innovative university models; landscape analysis of what already exists; gaps the University can uniquely fill; agency alignment; and professional value, such as ongoing professional accreditation.

• Develop research briefs, background reports, literature reviews, presentations, and other materials to inform Rainproof University's curriculum, sessions, and participant projects.

• Identify and document best practices, emerging approaches, and lessons learned from communities, practitioners, researchers, and public agencies.

• Translate complex research into accessible content for a range of audiences, including community partners, public agencies, and the broader Rainproof NYC network.

• Lead the development and ongoing research for Rainproof University's digital public library, organizing research, case studies, resources, and relevant data.

• Drive Rainproof University’s program development and implementation forward through research, coordinating timelines, tracking deadlines and action items, and ensuring program logistics and deliverables stay on schedule.

• Research and develop general curriculum templates for modules/sessions.

• Support Rainproof University recruitment by researching organizations, groups, mailing lists, etc. to build out an outreach list. Recruit Rainproof University participants by building bridges to new community partners and sectors. Support current Rainproof NYC relationships to strengthen the Rainproof network.

• Draft and edit content to communicate research, such as website, social media, newsletter, and events.

• Support tracking and evaluating the program’s outcome data. Research best practices for program evaluation.

• Provide general project and administrative support across Rainproof NYC and other Rebuild by Design initiatives, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and notes, maintaining project trackers and shared documents, and supporting event administration.

• Help with additional tasks to support Rebuild by Design as needed.

This position will require approximately 15-20 hours per week for 6 months with possible renewal. Scheduling is flexible in coordination with the Rebuild team.

About Rebuild by Design

As the world faces rising populations, mass migration, climate change, social injustices, and economic challenges, communities can’t afford to wait until after the next crisis to plan for the future. Through regional competitions, local engagements, research, and policy, Rebuild by Design is reimagining the way communities find solutions for today’s large-scale, complex problems by creating collaborations across communities and governments.

Rebuild convenes global expertise, regional leadership, and community stakeholders to gain a better understanding of how overlapping environmental and human-made vulnerabilities leave communities at risk. Rebuild’s core belief is that through collaboration, our communities can grow stronger and better prepared to stand up to whatever challenges tomorrow brings.

Rebuild achieves its mission through a four-pronged approach: regional competitions, place-based engagements, research & policy, and education. We are a small team with a passion for social justice and equity in all our work. We recognize that championing true equity and inclusion begins in our own office. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals. If this position speaks to your interest and experiences, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you need any accommodations in the application process, please contact [email protected] .

$35 an hour, 15-20 hours a week for six months with possibilities for extension.

Qualifications The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor of Art, Masters Preferred

• A strong interest in urban planning, architecture, environmental studies, government, ecology, or other relevant fields and a competent understanding of environmental issues, climate adaptation practices, and policies.

• A strong passion for helping communities adapt to growing challenges.

• Knowledge of NYC, its communities, and its climate challenges

• 2-3 years of research experience in a professional setting.

• Highly organized with excellent written and communication skills.

• Project management experience.

• Able to move ideas into action.

• Ability to work independently and meet quick deadlines.

• Experience with logistics, event planning, and coordination of partners

• Experience with designing graphics and other communications collateral to translate research into action, including familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or other design programs

• Strong time management and prioritization of tasks.

• Public speaking experience is preferred.

• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Interested applicants should submit the following through interfolio. No applications will be reviewed through email.

• Cover Letter demonstrating why you are qualified for this specific role, and why you want to work with Rebuild by Design on this project.

• Resume demonstrating relevant experience. Resumes must be saved as FirstName.LastName.Researcher2026

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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Sustainability Statement

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability