We're hiring Student Research Assistants!

Healthy Materials Lab and Donghia healthier Materials Library (DhML) are hiring Student Research Assistants.

Please read the description of the opportunities below and apply now to the button on the left to be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with preference to students who apply before August 1.

In this role, you will work with Healthy Materials Lab and the Donghia healthier Materials Library research team as we expand our fundamental materials research and evaluation projects, assess materials to add to HML’s online Material Collections, source materials for the library, assist in the development of practice-based materials implementation tools, to help us transform housing for the future. This work will be conducted from DhML where research assistants will also assist visitors in finding and borrowing samples, give brief verbal presentations on our work to classes and other visitors, and maintain the library space and collection. 

These are highly competitive, future-oriented positions that prove to be valuable and well-appreciated on resumes with architecture and design offices. This is an on-campus position for 6-12 hours per week. Work assignments will be split between the Healthy Materials Lab and the Donghia healthier Materials Library.

This is a union position at $31.37 based on student employment.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with preference to students who apply before August 1.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate or Graduate student at Parsons School of Design and The New School majoring in a relevant design field
• Strong sense of team commitment, demonstration of diligence, prepared to  complete tasks successfully, and flexible to take on new projects and assignments
• Interest or experience in design research, especially about compositions of materials and products and their link to health outcomes
• Able to communicate with and assist students, faculty, and design professionals visiting the library
• Ability to learn and adhere to library systems including databases, excel spreadsheets and organizational systems, and to organize research clearly and coherently
• Ability to work independently to successfully manage multiple project timelines, and work processes
• A prerequisite for starting the position is the completion of the HML online program in Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings
• Must be available to begin training in the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester, with a firm commitment for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

Desired Qualifications:

• Detailed orientated, visual thinker, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in or understanding of materials, design and selection processes
• Expertise in visual documentation processes
• Skills in graphic communication design, adobe suite, and AutoCAD is a plus
• Friendly, flexible, collaborative spirit
• Expertise in working in Excel Spreadsheets

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Organize and maintain research databases
• Conduct fundamental materials research following established processes
• Build and document materials collections and source materials for DhML’s physical material collection
• Assist in developing tools to assist designers and architects change materials specifications
• Assist library visitors, give presentations about the work of HML and DhML for visitors, and other ad hoc library-related tasks
• Experience working in a variety of communities; particularly with a strong ability to respectfully represent and advocate for individuals from historically under-represented communities

To apply, please click the link above where you will be asked to submit a brief statement of interest, resume, and portfolio (text/video/visual/audio) that resonates with the mission of Parsons Healthy Materials Lab and Donghia healthier Materials Library. If you have any questions, please contact healthymaterialslab@newschool.edu

Healthy Materials Lab is convinced that the strength and resilience of a team comes from diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applicants to apply who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color), LGBTQ, women, immigrants, and people with disabilities.