Job Title: Applied Research Assistant PVN ID: BA-2502-006725 Category: Research Location: BARUCH COLLEGE Job Description General Description This role supports development of a high impact global population dataset called Gridded Population of the World (GPW) which is updated and periodically released by the NASA Socioeconomic Data Applications Center (SEDAC). The dataset development involves integration of 2020 round (2015-2024) census and boundary data for all countries in the world into a global gridded population surface. SEDAC seeks support for the QA/QC of preprocessing and gridding results, as well as limited support for data acquisition and documentation. This SEDAC <> CUNY joint program seeks to enhance collaborations between Columbia University and City University of NY by connecting talented, driven students to an on-going global-scale data integration and population dynamics project. Under SEDAC & CUNY supervision, the research assistant prepares well-documented scripts and ArcGIS toolboxes to perform quality checks and data summaries on tabular and/or spatial results of data preprocessing and gridding. Research assistant contributes to documentation of all scripts/toolboxes so that they may be used by other team members as needed. Research assistant may assist with census and boundary data acquisition and documentation of acquired data in our project database, and/or with editing of vector boundary data. As appropriate, the research assistant may lead or contribute to conference presentations, web portfolios (e.g., story maps), other SEDAC data sets and metadata, working papers, or peer-reviewed publications. Please note, only CUNY undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Maximum tenure for this role is 10 hours per week, working no more than 560 hours before 1 July 2025 or no longer than 4 months from the hire date, whichever comes first. CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION: The research assistant will primarily work remotely, and be expected to visit the Columbia University - Lamont Doherty Earth Observation Campus in Palisades, NY twice during their contract: (1) One visit for project orientation, and (2) a second visit for mid-project check-in or a project close-out meeting with SEDAC supervisor. Other Duties Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: + High School Diploma required + Introductory training in GIS using either ArcGIS or QGIS is required. Intermediate GIS training is preferred, e.g., two or more GIS courses and having experience with both vector and raster data formats. + Demonstrated experience working with spatial data formats (shapefile, geodatabase feature classes and raster datasets, geopackage, GeoTIFF), exploring and assessing data from multiple sources, running geospatial tools and reviewing outputs, and editing geometry and attribute data. + Programming skills in Python + Comfort working with spreadsheets and word processing tools (e.g., MS Office and Google Suite) is required. + Familiarity with online meeting tools such as Google Meet or Zoom + Excellent organizational skills; detail oriented and self-motivated + Excellent communication skills; seeks clarification and asks questions as concerns arise OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: + Experience with the following Python packages a plus: arcpy, pandas + Exposure to task-based project management platforms (e.g., Asana) and Kanban based workflow management preferred. + Experience with Git and version control desired. RFCUNY Benefits RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals About the Research Foundation The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. 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. Key Features Department CUNY Insitute for Demographic Research ( Status Part Time Pay Range $20.00-$25.00 Hour(s) a week 0.00-10.00 Closing Date Apr 27, 2025 (Or Until Filled) Bargaining Unit No Actions + Apply + Print + Email + Linkedin + Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=BA-2502-006725&title=Careers at RFCUNY) + Google + + Twitter (http://twitter.com/home?status=Job Openings at RFCUNY+https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=BA-2502-006725)