Skip Navigation

Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Student Research Assistant Positions

Throughout each academic year, the Center for a Livable Future provides opportunities for a limited number of Johns Hopkins University undergraduate and graduate students to work with staff and faculty as Research Assistants (RA). The duration of work is subject to work priorities and funding and it may not last for an entire academic year. During the academic year, RAs typically work with the Center between 8 and 19 hours per week. The hours required for each position are specified in the descriptions below. CLF compensates RAs at a rate competitive with other JHU student positions.

Research Assistants are important members of our team. They are involved in challenging work assignments and receive helpful supervision and mentoring from staff members. Work responsibilities can involve a range of skills and expertise, including: conducting scientific literature reviews; data collection, performing data analysis; contributing to the development of scientific papers and synthesis documents; providing project assistance for the Center's activities; and developing communication materials to inform education, advocacy and policy activities. Performing administrative support activities is also part of a RA’s scope of work. Our RAs are encouraged to attend CLF-sponsored seminars and lectures that may be scheduled throughout the year.

There are currently three openings at the Center.

FAO Scoping Review and Survey of Covid-19 Pandemic Effects on Global Seafood Sectors (Two positions available)

Scope of work: The research assistant will work on a CLF and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) scoping review and survey project examining the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on global aquaculture and fisheries sectors. This project will produce a manuscript for peer review, FAO report and contribute findings to the 2022 FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Meeting. Primary tasks will include assisting with writing up analyses, results, discussion, and other aspects of the scoping literature review, as well as survey results analysis, synthesis, and report writing.

Skills required: The ideal candidate is a PhD student that has experience and/or training in quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis; excellent written and oral communication skills, especially writing for manuscripts and/or high level reports; an interest in food systems, public health, seafood, and/or nutrition; a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality; strong attention to detail and recognizes the value of rigorous analysis and careful work; and an independent worker who can also work effectively in a collaborative team-oriented environment.

Hours/Week: 10-15 (Position ends December 31, 2022)

Level of education: PhD preferred, Masters students will be considered

Wasted Food Prevention: Reducing Resource Use at the Seafood-Energy-Water Nexus

Scope of work: The research assistant will work on projects focused on quantifying and reducing water, energy use, and waste in the US seafood supply chain, particularly among consumers. Primary tasks will be to gather, analyze and report on new survey data on consumer seafood discards and summarize findings across multiple project papers previously written on seafood resource use and waste; and may contribute to other manuscripts within the broader project.  Duties may include, but are not limited to: analyzing quantitative survey data; contributing to writing academic manuscripts; gathering/reviewing literature; writing content for public- or industry-oriented communication, and performing other writing, research, and administrative duties as needed to assist with other CLF projects on wasted food or other topics.

Skills required: The ideal candidate is a PhD or Masters student that has excellent written communication skills; experience and/or training in survey data analysis; knowledge of seafood, food systems, public health, and wasted food issues; a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality; strong attention to detail and recognizes the value of rigorous analysis and careful work; and an independent worker who can also work effectively in a collaborative team-oriented environment.

Hours/Week: 10-15

Level of education: Masters or PhD student

Applications for CLF student research assistants must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday,  August 12, 2022. Process and additional information will be provided to selected shortlisted applicants only o/a Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

To apply for a 2022-2023 CLF Student Research Assistant position, please submit the following to clf@jhsph.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.