Research Assistant OR Research Associate - Energy, Water, and Sustainability Program

Research Assistant or Research Associate

FTE: 100%

Salary: Research Assistant $50,000-$65,000; Research Associate $55,000-$75,000

Location: Washington, DC (hybrid)

About Stimson

The Henry L. Stimson Center (Stimson), a nonpartisan global security think tank located in Washington, DC, seeks a Research Assistant or Research Associate, reporting to Brian Eyler, Energy, Water, and Sustainability Program Director.. This role ensures that our practices support our mission-driven work, align with Stimson's vision, values, strategic goals, standards of conduct, and operational objectives, and demonstrate our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being.

We seek a highly motivated, organized, entrepreneurial, and collaborative individual committed to Stimson's mission and core values. This person understands that any organization is only as good as the people working there and the relationships they build and sustain. This job will require building authentic relationships with staff and affiliates that facilitate the successful candidate's ability to challenge, develop, and support them.

About the Program and Position Summary

The Stimson Center's Energy, Water, & Sustainability Program is looking to hire a full-time Research Assistant or Research Associate to begin work in Q4 2024.

Stimson's Energy, Water, and Sustainability program works to address important and timely policy issues concerning water resource management, sustainable infrastructure development, clean energy development, and disaster risk reduction from a multidisciplinary perspective. Current focal areas include Southeast Asia and South Asia, and the program is expanding its activities to other parts of the planet. Current projects include the Mekong Dam Monitor, Mekong Infrastructure Tracker, and the Nepal Early Warning for Cascading Hazards project with new projects coming online. The program currently works along a theory of change which integrates remote sensing and earth observation data, locally sourced community-level data, and government/in-situ data to deliver low-cost, high impact decision support systems for various purposes.

The program seeks a full-time Research Assistant or Research Associate with strong interests and skills in earth observation, GIS data management, water monitoring, infrastructure issues, and socio-political developments in the Indo-Pacific region. The Research Assistant or Associate will work primarily with the program's research analyst and support the program director on projects that utilize the above interests and talents.

Level of role that a candidate is hired for will be based on an assessment of their work experience and skills and therefore fit with one of the roles. Please indicate in your cover letter if you only wish to be considered for a specific role.

Responsibilities:

A Research Assistant will assist with GIS/remote sensing analysis, data and web platform management, and create and/or design data outputs and visualizations. Additionally, the research assistant will support the development of products derived from earth observations and other data formats, contribute to water resource monitoring and infrastructure tracking, and curate geodatabases. The research assistant could also support capacity-building and localization workshops and events, contribute to analytical reports, and participate in public events on behalf of the program.

While there will be similarities between roles, a Research Associate will also primarily assist with GIS/remote sensing analysis, analytical workflow development, data and web platform management and development, and design data outputs and visualizations. The research associate will develop products derived from earth observations and other data formats and support efforts in monitoring water resources, tracking infrastructure development, and assessing potential hazards, while creating and curating geodatabases. The research associate could also co-lead capacity-building and localization workshops and events, co-author analytical reports and shorter pieces, and speak publicly on behalf of the program about its work, outputs, and impacts.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Processing of earth observation and remote sensing data
• Data preparation and verification
• Support for design and functionality of web applications
• Co-designing information products for public outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Communicating with project stakeholders and user communities
• Building tutorials and reference materials for platform use
• Supporting planning, design, and implementation of capacity building activities in the US and in the Indo-Pacific region and other project areas.

Qualifications - required:

• Experience with qualitative (primarily web-based) research and data management
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both in writing and speaking
• Extensive GIS experience or background (primarily ArcGIS Online and Pro, or QGIS)
• Knowledge of infrastructure development dynamics in the Indo-Pacific (Southeast Asia and/or South Asia) and associated challenges
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work and data management experience
• Flexibility to work effectively both as part of a team and independently
• Initiative, maturity, and professionalism
• Computer skills relevant to an office setting
• Research Associate: Graduate degree or bachelor's degree plus 3-5 years field experience in development, economics, international relations, or environmental studies/science
• Research Assistant: Bachelor's degree with a major and/or some work experience in development, economics, international relations, or environmental studies/science
• Candidates must be located in the DC/MD/VA area and must be able to commute into Washington, D.C.

Qualifications - preferred:

• Portfolio of GIS related work and outputs (e.g. maps, coursework)
• Experience working with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, including basic knowledge of backscatter analysis and inSAR
• Experience working on natural disaster issues, including mapping and/or modelling floods, landslides, and cascading hazards
• Proficiency with programs for qualitative and quantitative data analysis (R and/or Python preferred) and data visualization
• On-the-ground working or research experience in the Indo-Pacific
• Knowledge of the field and literature of international political economy, environmental studies, international development, or disaster risk reduction
• Prior relevant work or research experience in NGOs and/or governmental agencies

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet all preferred qualifications.

Application requirements:

• Qualified candidates should submit cover letter with salary requirements and resume
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Stimson is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this role

Stimson is an equal-opportunity employer that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.