Graduate Research Assistant, Urban Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project

Villanova, PA 

Position Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Organization: Urban Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project

Location: Villanova, PA 

Position Overview: GSI systems are increasingly used to mitigate urban stormwater challenges. However, their long-term effectiveness is limited by gaps in understanding of life-cycle dynamics impacting such systems, a lack of standardized processes for incorporating data into design and policy, and limited consideration of community historical and cultural factors. This project will address these challenges by: 

  • Developing AI-driven models that merge real-time GSI monitoring data with social, environmental, and policy-making information. 
  • Collaborating with government agencies, community organizations, and urban planners to create smart, sustainable GSI systems for urban communities. 
  • This GA position will be located in Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Science in collaboration between Dr. Peleg Kremer (Geography & the Environment) and Dr. Gordon Coonfield (Communications). Based on the applicant educational or work background, experience, and research interests, applicants may apply to either the Master of Environmental Science or the Master of Arts in Communications.  

Duties:

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate training and/or experience with some combination of the following: 

  • Conducting archival research on neighborhood history as it relates to stormwater, infrastructure, and environmental events and responses. 
  • Conducting or assisting with recording and transcribing onsite interviews 
  • Conducting field-based research 
  • Collecting and organizing spatial data to contextualize the neighborhood experience of urban stormwater.  
  • Providing support for GIS data collection and management.   

Qualifications:

Consistent with the interdisciplinary nature of this position, applicants must demonstrate some combination of the following qualifications: 

  • Educational background reflecting commensurate with responsibilities outlined above 
  • Experience conducting archival research  
  • Experience or potential to support conducting and recording interviews and/or transcribing and analyzing interview data, and/or using field-based research methods, 
  • Proficiency in ESRI ArcGIS pro, ArcGIS online and\or equivalent tools.  

Preferred qualifications  

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively toward achieving project goals 
  • Ability to communicate effectively with research team members 
  • Ability to manage time and resources effectively 
  • Comfortable working in urban neighborhood environments. 

Application Deadline:  January 5, 2024 

How to Apply:

Please send the following to Dr. Peleg Kremer (peleg.kremer@villanova.edu) and Dr. Gordon Coonfield (gordon.coonfield@villanova.edu) 

  • Updated resume or curriculum vitae 
  • Cover letter expressing interest, as well as relevant qualifications or experiences 

Qualified applicants will be invited for a virtual interview. A formal application to one of the Master’s programs mentioned above will be required.