Circular Construction Lab - Temporary Research Aide
Position Summary:
The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning at Cornell University (Cornell AAP) includes the departments of Architecture, Art, City and Regional Planning, the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate (jointly led by AAP and the SC Johnson College of Business), the multicollege Department of Design Tech, and the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities. The college spans three locations-in Ithaca, New York City, and Rome, Italy-each with world-class facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
Cornell AAP is about acts of transformation. We are committed to reimagining and reshaping the world in new ways, every day. A vital college at one of the nation's foremost research universities, Cornell AAP brings faculty, staff, and students together from around the world to address urgent global challenges and advance collaborative, research-driven approaches that support a more just and resilient future.
Purpose of the Position:
The Circular Construction Lab (CCL) at Cornell AAP is seeking a recent graduate for Temporary Research Aide I position to support GrooveLam, an innovative research project developing adhesive-free engineered structural elements from reclaimed wood. Funded through Phase II of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Natural Carbon Solutions Innovation Challenge, GrooveLam advances circular construction by transforming salvaged lumber into high-performance structural products for low-carbon building applications.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in reclaimed timber innovation while working closely with academic, industry, and public-sector partners advancing the future of circular construction. The position is ideal for a recent graduate in architecture, engineering, construction management, material science, or related fields who is interested in applied research at the intersection of sustainable materials, fabrication, and circular economy systems.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support day-to-day project management and coordination of Phase II grant deliverables
- Assist with grant administration, reporting, scheduling, and documentation requirements
- Coordinate communication with industry, research, and fabrication partners
- Manage timelines, meetings, and follow-ups across project collaborators
- Support material sourcing, processing, and fabrication of reclaimed wood assemblies
- Assist in physical testing of structural prototypes and documentation of results
- Contribute to ongoing technology development, prototyping workflows, and research
- Help organize research data, presentations, and external communications
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
- Prior experience with the project?s research domain, methodologies, or development workflows strongly preferred.
- Ability to work independently on specialized research tasks requiring prior familiarity with project history and objectives.
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare high?quality research documentation.
- Demonstrated analytical thinking, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex information.
- Experience contributing to interdisciplinary research, preferably within academic or laboratory settings.
Requirements:
- Direct experience with prior phases of research.
- Recent degree in architecture, engineering, material science, or a related field
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Interest in sustainable materials, circular construction, and structural innovation
- Comfort working in both administrative and hands-on fabrication/testing environments
- Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate across multiple partners
- Experience with digital fabrication, woodworking, or research documentation is a plus
- Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and research staff on advanced project deliverables.
Compensation Range - $18 - $25/hr.
University Job Title: Temporary Research Aide
Job Family: Temporary Academic Support
Remote Option Availability: Onsite
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