Temporary Research Aide

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 Temporary Research Aide will support ongoing, mission-critical research in the MULTIMESO Lab, directed by Assistant Professor Tiffany Cheng in the Department of Design Tech at Cornell University. The lab focuses on advancing bioregional material resources through bio-inspired additive manufacturing methods for smarter, more resilient products, buildings, and infrastructure. Research spans micro-, meso-, and macro-scale material systems with programmable and environmentally responsive behaviors.

This temporary role will provide hands-on research and fabrication support for the Programmable Ecologies project, which investigates hygromorphic, wood-based biomaterials for passively responsive and ecologically attuned architectural systems.

Duties and Responsibilities may include:

• Assist with research activities related to bio-inspired and hygromorphic material systems
• Support fabrication, assembly, and testing of physical prototypes
• Assist with material preparation, documentation, and data collection
• Support monitoring of prototypes deployed in real-world environments
• Maintain an organized and safe research and fabrication workspace
• Collaborate with lab members during prototyping and testing activities
• Perform routine research support tasks as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Background or coursework in architecture, design technology, materials science, or a related field
• Interest in material research, fabrication, and experimental prototyping
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and safety procedures
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work collaboratively in a lab environment
• Prior experience with fabrication tools or research environments preferred