Research Staff Assistant

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $48,000 - $55,000

Position Summary

Columbia University’s History Lab at the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP) seeks a research staff assistant to provide research and programmatic support for federally funded projects in artificial intelligence, digital humanities, archives, and historical research. Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), the position will support the IARPA-funded MIDLLMAT project and two NEH-funded Archives as Data projects. For MIDLLMAT, the research staff assistant will assist with data preparation and documentation, scheduling, communications, and coordination across research teams and partner institutions. For Archives as Data, the research staff assistant will support outreach, instructor and speaker coordination, workshops and events, and dissemination of project materials. The research assistant will also help maintain History Lab’s research data and code resources and support access to and sharing of data through its website, API, repositories, and related research infrastructure.

This role is subject to grant funding.

Responsibilities

• Assist with research activities of the History Lab, including research team meetings, preparation of agendas and materials, documentation of research decisions and action items, and follow-up on project deliverables. 20%
• Maintain and organize History Lab research datasets, documentation, code repositories, and other digital research resources in collaboration with technical and research staff. 15%
• Support access to and sharing of History Lab data through the History Lab website, API, repositories, and other approved research infrastructure; assist with routine data-access requests and user documentation. 15%
• Conduct background research and assist with the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, and other research materials. 15%
• Assist in preparing datasets, code, documentation, training materials, and research outputs for internal and external use and dissemination. 10%
• Coordinate research program activities, including scheduling, meeting preparation, agendas, notes, and follow-up across research teams and partner institutions. 5%
• Coordinate outreach, participant communications, instructor onboarding, workshops, and conference logistics for the Archives as Data project. 5%
• Assist with MIDLLMAT site visits and system demonstrations, including preparation of demonstration materials and coordination of schedules, space, and travel. 5%
• Maintain project records, calendars, deliverable trackers, and assist with project communications and website content. 5%
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned. 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required in history, humanities, or a scientific discipline. 
• 2 years of experience in a research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest or experience in digital humanities, archives, artificial intelligence, data science, or research administration.
• Familiarity with research data management, GitHub, APIs, databases, or related tools used to organize and share research data; advanced programming experience is not required.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
• Work well in an interactive team environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.