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Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Student Research Assistant Positions

The Center recruits a limited number of student Research Assistants positions to work during the Fall. These positions are only open to current JHU students. The positions provide programmatic, research, and administrative assistance to CLF staff members. Responsibilities for each position include a range of duties and activities, such as conducting web-based research, report writing, data cleaning and data entry, data analysis, literature review, and event planning. Performing administrative support activities is part of each CLF Research Assistant’s scope of work but will involve no more than 20 percent of work hours. Research Assistants are encouraged to attend CLF-sponsored seminars, lectures and other activities scheduled throughout the summer.

Students applying for 2025-2026 Research Assistant positions at CLF must be active in a degree-seeking full-time or part-time status at Johns Hopkins University, must be physically in the US and must hold and maintain current work authorization during payment/work dates (i.e. foreign national students must be valid, unexpired J-1 and F-1 visa holders).

There are three openings at the Center.

  1. Meatless Monday and Sustainable Diets 

    Scope of Work: The research assistant will support a range of projects related to Meatless Monday (MM), with a particular focus on initiatives at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Responsibilities include conducting secondary research, qualitative data collection, and preparing literature summary briefs. Primary tasks will include preparing a summary report on evidence-based sustainability practices in institutional dining settings; collaborating with Hopkins Dining to develop materials such as an engaging social media campaign and a plant-based campus guide for students; leading MM outreach activities at various Homewood campus facilities; and organizing and categorizing content within CLF’s internal research repository to support current and emerging projects.
    Skills Required: Experience and/or training related to nutrition and sustainability and knowledge of food systems and public health; excellent oral and written communication; ability to translate complex scientific information in simple and digestible formats; organizational skills especially related to working on multiple projects simultaneously; experience with literature searches and syntheses recognizing the value of rigorous analysis and careful work both independently and collaboratively.
    Special Requirements: Proficiency in applications including the Microsoft Office Suite, citation managers (preferably Zotero), and project management tools; experience with and interest in cross-platform social media content generation; ability to conduct simple data analysis using Excel, R, or Stata; availability to work onsite in CLF’s downtown office on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays as well as attend events at the Homewood campus as needed
    Hours/Week: 10-15
    Level of education: Masters

  2. Food, Agriculture, and Animal Production Research Translation and Policy

    Scope of work:The research assistant will support the Food Policy Solutions Focus Area on several projects related to industrial food animal production (IFAP) and related food systems topics. Our work in this area is focused on informing public policies that address problems caused by the IFAP model and advancing the development of food production models that support public health, environmental justice, climate change mitigation, and animal welfare. Primary tasks will include supporting analyses and development of translational materials related to public opinion polls and focus groups conducted through our Food Citizen project; drafting reports, policy briefs or other translational materials in support of CLF’s policy priorities; tracking and analyzing legislative and regulatory efforts related to key agriculture, climate and public health issues; conducting literature reviews and/or policy analyses; contributing to project tasks as needed, on topics such as food procurement policies, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, agriculture policies (such as the Farm Bill) and the advancement of alternative food production models
    Skills required: Excellent writing and analysis skills and able to work independently and in teams, familiarity with literature reviews, policy analyses, and/or qualitative and quantitative research methods, a strong interest in public policy, food system equity, and the public health impacts of agriculture, food animal production, and climate. 
    Hours/Week: 8-12
    Level of education: Masters

  3. US Seafood Consumption Survey & Manuscript
    Scope of work: The research assistant will support the Aquatic Food Systems and Public Health Focus Area with several projects including a national survey to better understand American seafood consumption patterns. Primary tasks will include assisting with data cleaning, analysis, literature review, and manuscript writing related to this survey and another manuscript related to seafood consumption in America.
    Skills required: Knowledge of food systems and nutrition issues, strong communication skills (virtual and in person), experience reviewing scientific literature, familiarity with data analysis, prior coursework in statistics, and experience with data analysis software (e.g., R, STATA, or SAS), and strong writing skills.
    Hours/Week: 10-15

Start date: o/a October 6, 2025
End date: o/a May 15, 2026
Hours: between 8 - 15 (depending on position filled)
Salary range: Commensurate with educational level

Applications for CLF student fall research assistants must be received by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.  Process and additional information will be provided to selected shortlisted applicants only o/a Monday, August 18, 2025.

Instructions for applying for a 2025 CLF Student Research Assistant

Please submit the following to clf@jhu.edu:

  • Completed CLF RA Application Form
  • An updated CV or resume describing your work experience, academic background, specific skills and expertise.
  • Two or three references and contact information, to include both academic and work setting references.
  • A writing sample of a paper you have developed from start to finish and that involved a review of literature.
  • A cover-letter outlining the following:
    • why you are interested in working with CLF;
    • what you hope to gain through a CLF research assistant’s experience;
    • a brief description of what you see yourself doing in five years.