Temporary Research Assistant (Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering); New York State

Cornell University is a leader in research and education, and they are seeking a Temporary Research Assistant to support an Indigenous mapping project. The role involves creating spatial representations of Indigenous lands and resources and collaborating with faculty and staff in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering.

Responsibilities:

• Designing and extending GIS maps of Indigenous lands, activities, resources, and traditional knowledge in the Finger Lakes region, in coordination with staff in the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
• Working with staff in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering to add layers of water quality in Lake Cayuga and design the visualization of these data layers to support synthesis and effective communication
• Sharing mapping development progress with the Principal Investigator and partners in regular meetings

Requirements:

• Significant experience with GIS and digital mapping
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, including knowledge of key principles and practices to ensure ethical work: respect for sovereignty, protocols, and data ownership; understanding and valuing cultural inclusion; ensuring reciprocity; and acknowledgment of self-accountability for commitments to the community
• Ability to represent map content in Indigenous languages