New York University

Description

Background:

Climate change is here, and storms that feel extreme now will only become more frequent and more intense. Rebuild by Design’s research on federal disaster declarations due to extreme weather, documented in the Atlas of Disaster (2022) and theAtlas of Accountability (2025) finds that 95% of Americans and 99% of congressional districts have had a climate disaster since 2011. The analysis includes county-level data for where major disasters have occurred, where post-disaster federal assistance has been given, where the most socially vulnerable populations reside, the energy reliability by utility area, and where compounding physical and social risks indicate a potential high return on investment. The research is a blueprint for equitable planning, and better decision-making for government, the private sector, philanthropy, and finance. Rebuild utilizes this data to call for state-level Resilient Infrastructure Funding sources supported by a ballot measure or a small surcharge on insurance, as well as a number of federal disaster policy changes to ensure that communities, no matter where they live, will not suffer from increasingly severe climate events.

Part-time Data Analytics and Visualization Assistant/Assistant Research Scientist

Working under the Director of Rebuild by Design, this position will support the organization’s climate adaptation research, spatial data analysis, and policy-driven publications that inform local, state, and national decision-making. This is an ideal opportunity for a graduate student or recent Master’s graduate interested in applying technical data skills to equity-centered, policy-relevant work.

Data Analysis & Policy Research

• Analyze climate impact data (e.g., FEMA declarations, sea level rise projections, floodplains) using R, Python, or Excel to identify trends and vulnerabilities across states and counties.
• Aggregate and clean publicly available datasets (ACS, CDC SVI, NOAA, etc.) to support climate adaptation policy recommendations.
• Identify and extract key metrics that support equity-focused adaptation policies and reform opportunities.
• Conduct research on existing adaptation strategies and legislation at the state and local levels.
• Support the translation of quantitative findings into compelling data stories for a variety of audiences.

Geospatial Analysis & Mapping

• Perform GIS analysis including spatial joins, overlays, and intersect functions to assess vulnerability and infrastructure exposure.
• Create static and interactive maps using QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, or Mapbox for inclusion in public reports, presentations, and web-based tools.
• Assist in developing geospatial methodologies that quantify climate risk and social vulnerability at multiple scales.
• Maintain and organize internal geospatial datasets and metadata documentation.

Visualization & Communication

• Develop clear and engaging data visualizations (e.g., infographics, charts, Tableau dashboards) to accompany reports and advocacy materials.
• Collaborate with policy and communications teams to ensure that visual outputs align with messaging goals and are accessible to non-technical audiences.
• Assist with layout and formatting of reports using InDesign, Illustrator, or Google Workspace tools as needed.

This position will require approximately 15-20 hours per week. Scheduling is flexible in coordination with the Rebuild team. Tasks can be performed at either the Rebuild by Design office at New York University or remotely.

Additional Information: In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the compensation for this position is $40/Hourly USD. A New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

About Rebuild by Design

As the world faces rising populations, mass migration, climate change, social injustices, and economic challenges, communities can’t afford to wait until after the next crisis to plan for the future. Through regional competitions, local engagements, research and policy, Rebuild by Design is reimagining the way communities find solutions for today’s large-scale, complex problems by creating collaborations across communities and governments.

Rebuild convenes global expertise, with regional leadership, and community stakeholders to gain a better understanding of how overlapping environmental and human-made vulnerabilities leave communities at risk. Rebuild’s core belief is that through collaboration our communities can grow stronger and better prepared to stand up to whatever challenges tomorrow brings.

Rebuild achieves its mission through a four-pronged approach: regional competitions, place-based engagements, research & policy, and education. We are a small team with a passion for social justice and equity in all our work. We recognize that championing true equity and inclusion begins in our own office. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals. If this position speaks to your interest and experiences, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you need any accommodations in the application process, please contact info@rebuildbydesign.org.

Qualifications

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a graduate-level background (or current enrollment in a relevant Master’s program) and the following skills:

• Graduate degree (completed or in progress) in Urban Planning, Data Science, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience working with spatial data and GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS Pro).
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as R, Python (Pandas, GeoPandas), or advanced Excel.
• Familiarity with U.S. Census, FEMA, NOAA, and other public climate/socioeconomic datasets.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Datawrapper, Tableau, Mapbox, Datawrapper) is a strong asset.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and synthesize complex information.
• Commitment to equity-centered, climate-forward solutions and collaborative work environments.