Temporary Project Associate - Cornell University's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Remote)

Who We Are

Building on our 150-plus-year legacy as one of the nation's preeminent engineering colleges, the Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineeringis a purpose-driven, inclusive community committed to developing the knowledge, capabilities, and people needed to forge a better future. Comprising more than 10 schools and departments, we are rooted in Ithaca, New York, with a growing presence in New York City and a global network of alumni and collaborators. Guided by our core values, our faculty and staff regularly engage across disciplines and intentionally bring together a range of perspectives as they lead and support ambitious efforts to tackle societal challenges, develop the next generation of leaders, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

What You Will Do

This is a part time, one-year fixed term position with the possibility of renewal based on available funding, performance, and business needs.

Overview: DARE (Dynamic Atlas of Riverine Ecosystems and Infrastructure) is a five-year, multi-institutional research effort, led by Cornell University and funded by Schmidt Sciences through the VIEW program. The project integrates advances in global hydrology, sediment transport, freshwater ecology, remote sensing, water management, and uncertainty analysis to reconstruct the operations of hydraulic infrastructure systems at the global scale, and then quantify its impacts on river discharge, sediment transport, water temperature, and biodiversity. Through these efforts, DARE will develop the first global dataset of time-series data on the past and present evolution of riverine systems under human influence. While the approach is global, the project also focuses on two sentinel sites (Amazon and Mekong) for data and model validation, as well as policy development.

Given the scale and collaborative nature of the initiative, we are seeking a part-time Project Associate to support coordination, communication, and reporting across the consortium. This role will be scheduled to work 13-14 hours per week. The role focuses on maintaining continuity, organizing information, and preparing materials in draft form for the Lead PI, PIs, and project team.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination (30%)

• Attend PI and project meetings; prepare clear, concise meeting notes and circulate them promptly

• Track action items and follow up with team members to support timely progress

• Provide gentle, consistent reminders to ensure alignment with agreed timelines and deliverables

Project Communications (25%)

• Prepare and circulatemonthly project digests, summarizing key updates, milestones, and upcoming activities

• Collect and organize inputs from project partners and synthesize them into structured drafts

Website & Documentation (30%)

• Develop and maintain aproject website(e.g., GitHub Pages or similar platform)

• Ensure content (team information, outputs, updates) is current and well organized

• Maintain shared folders and project documentation in a clear and accessible structure

Reporting (15%)

• Assist in the preparation ofmid-year and annual reports, including coordination of inputs across teams and supporting financial reporting

• Maintain an up-to-date overview of project expenditures, tracking budgets and expenses in coordination with the Lead PI

Working Style and Expectations

• The Project Associate will work closely with the Lead PI and PIs, particularly in the initial phase, withincreasing autonomy over time

• The role emphasizespreparation of well-structured drafts (e.g., web pages, monthly digests), which are then reviewed and finalized by the Lead PI

• The time commitment isup to ~33% annually (approximately 4 months per year) and is variable throughout the year, with expected periods of higher intensity (e.g., reporting and review milestones)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, engineering, public policy, or related discipline)

• Experience in project coordination or management, preferably in academic or research settings

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Clear and concise writing ability, with experience preparing summaries or structured documents

• Ability to manage tasks across multiple stakeholders and follow through independently

Preferred

• Experience supporting research projects or grant-funded initiatives

• Familiarity with collaborative tools (e.g., Google Workspace, GitHub, project management platforms)

• Basic experience with website maintenance

Compensation

$32.27 Hourly

Important Notes about Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for full consideration.

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the remote or hybrid work arrangement at any time

• There is no relocation assistance available for this position

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position

• This role is not benefits eligible

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