Research Assistant

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:

CUNY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Bargaining Unit:

No

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies:

As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its’ 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.

Partnership Description: The CUNY SPS Data Science program awards Master’s Degrees in Data Science. Dr. George Hagstrom is a Doctoral Lecturer in this program and the PI on this project who will supervise this position.

Position Description: PI is seeking to hire a student with data science training and an interest in marine ecosystems, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry to work on a project to model the physiological roles of polyphosphate storage in marine phytoplankton. This project will involve a mixture of computer programming and analysis of experimental data, as suits project needs and student interests. This is a part time program with funding for 100 hours of work, to be completed during the Fall 2026 semester.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Help PI with data analysis, literature review, and model development. Participate in weekly meetings with PI to set weekly objectives and go over progress. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific, engineering, or mathematical discipline OR Bachelor’s degree and experience working on scientific problems.
• Knowledge of at least one programming language, preferably R. Experience in other languages such as Python, Julia, Matlab, C/C++, Fortran, may substitute depending on knowledge level.
• Experience using scientific visualization libraries such as ‘ggplot’
• Interest in data analysis of marine ecological systems.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume.

Please note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Location: Remote

Pay Range:

$20 to $20 per hour

RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

About Us

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.

RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.