Temporary Project Associate - Cornell University’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Remote)

About the role

Building on our 150-plus-year legacy as one of the nation's preeminent engineering colleges, the Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering is a purpose-driven, inclusive community committed to developing the knowledge, capabilities, and people needed to forge a better future. Comprising more than 10 schools and departments, we are rooted in Ithaca, New York, with a growing presence in New York City and a global network of alumni and collaborators. Guided by our core values, our faculty and staff regularly engage across disciplines and intentionally bring together a range of perspectives as they lead and support ambitious efforts to tackle societal challenges, develop the next generation of leaders, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

Responsibilities

• This is a part time, one-year fixed term position with the possibility of renewal based on available funding, performance, and business needs.
• Project Coordination (30%)
• Attend PI and project meetings; prepare clear, concise meeting notes and circulate them promptly
• Track action items and follow up with team members to support timely progress
• Provide gentle, consistent reminders to ensure alignment with agreed timelines and deliverables
• Project Communications (25%)
• Prepare and circulate monthly project digests, summarizing key updates, milestones, and upcoming activities
• Collect and organize inputs from project partners and synthesize them into structured drafts
• Website & Documentation (30%)
• Develop and maintain a project website (e.g., GitHub Pages or similar platform)
• Ensure content (team information, outputs, updates) is current and well organized
• Maintain shared folders and project documentation in a clear and accessible structure
• Reporting (15%)
• Assist in the preparation of mid-year and annual reports, including coordination of inputs across teams and supporting financial reporting
• Maintain an up-to-date overview of project expenditures, tracking budgets and expenses in coordination with the Lead PI
• Working Style and Expectations
• The Project Associate will work closely with the Lead PI and PIs, particularly in the initial phase, with increasing autonomy over time
• The role emphasizes preparation of well-structured drafts (e.g., web pages, monthly digests), which are then reviewed and finalized by the Lead PI
• The time commitment is up to ~33% annually (approximately 4 months per year) and is variable throughout the year, with expected periods of higher intensity (e.g., reporting and review milestones)

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, engineering, public policy, or related discipline)
• Experience in project coordination or management, preferably in academic or research settings
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Clear and concise writing ability, with experience preparing summaries or structured documents
• Ability to manage tasks across multiple stakeholders and follow through independently
• Preferred
• Experience supporting research projects or grant-funded initiatives
• Familiarity with collaborative tools (e.g., Google Workspace, GitHub, project management platforms)
• Basic experience with website maintenance

Benefits

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