Project Associate (PRISM) - Grant Funded

Fashion Institute of Technology; New York (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) seeks a Project Associate for the PRISM program, a five-year research initiative funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, in partnership with Columbia University. The role covers life cycle assessment, techno-economic integration, and symposium planning, reporting to the Co-PI at FIT.

The one-year grant-funded appointment, with potential renewal, requires strong quantitative and coordination skills and close collaboration across two institutions to advance

Qualifications

• Master's degree required and relevant experience in research or program support.
• Experience with quantitative analysis and project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Conduct life cycle impact assessment of textile fibers and environments; gather stakeholder pain points across the value chain.
• Contribute to PRISM assessment framework methodology, data requirements and documentation.
• Integrate techno-economic analysis with environmental assessment as research develops.
• Plan and coordinate a scholarly symposium on life cycle assessment for fashion; manage outreach and logistics.
• Support funder reporting, publications and project documentation.

Skills

LCA knowledge

Quantitative analysis

Project coordination

Communication

Data organization

Education

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Tools

Life cycle assessment software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Location: New York, NY Category: Other Job Type: Full-time Temporary Posted On: Fri Oct 30 2026 Job Description: The Project Associate supports PRISM (Precision, Regenerative, Intelligent, Scalable Materials), a five-year research program at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Columbia University, funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, to develop high-performance regenerative textile fibers grown by bacteria on agricultural waste. The position is grant-funded and full-time for a one-year term, with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and continued funding. Reporting to the FIT Co-Principal Investigator, the Project Associate supports life cycle impact assessment of the environmental and human health impacts of textile fibers, with particular attention to biofabricated fibers, and contributes to development of the program's assessment framework. The role integrates techno-economic analysis with environmental assessment, so that findings on cost and scale are evaluated alongside impact results as the materials research develops. The Project Associate also leads planning and development of a scholarly symposium at FIT on life cycle assessment for fashion, bringing together stakeholders from industry, academia and the public sector--including researchers, practitioners and standards bodies--to advance methodological consensus. The PRISM project is a research arm of the fashion thrust of the Gotham Foundry, and this work supports its mission to fast-track commercialization of regenerative materials and beyond. Open as of 10/30/2026; 1 year appointment with possibility of renewal. This is a grant-funded non-bargaining position.

Responsibilities

• Life cycle impact assessment of textile fibers. Support assessment of the environmental and human health impacts of textile fibers, with particular attention to biofabricated fibers: gather pain points from industry stakeholders across the textile value chain.
• Assessment framework development. Contribute to development of the PRISM assessment framework, including methodology, data requirements and documentation, in coordination with research teams across the program's projects.
• Techno-economic integration. Integrate techno-economic analysis with environmental assessment, so that findings on cost and scale are evaluated alongside impact results as the materials research develops.
• Symposium planning and development. Plan and develop a scholarly symposium at FIT on life cycle assessment for fashion: program development, speaker and stakeholder outreach across industry, academia and the public sector (researchers, practitioners and standards bodies), logistics coordination and follow-through.
• Reporting, dissemination and project support. Contribute to funder reporting, publications and presentations, project documentation and records, and partner communication; other duties as assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree required.
• Professional or research experience relevant to the responsibilities of the position, including quantitative analysis, research or program support, and project coordination.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree in public health, climate and health, environmental science or engineering, industrial ecology, materials science, sustainability science, or a closely related field.
• Experience with life cycle assessment (LCA) or life cycle impact assessment, including data collection, inventory compilation, and interpretation of results.
• Experience related to climate and health, including environmental and human health impact pathways such as chemical toxicity, exposure, or occupational and community health burdens.
• Experience with regenerative materials, bioinspired materials, or biofabrication for climate solutions.
• Experience integrating cost, scale, or techno-economic considerations into environmental, scientific, or policy analysis.
• Experience planning convenings, symposia, workshops, or stakeholder engagement across industry, academia, and the public sector.
• Experience with climate solutions connected to resilient and inclusive economic development.
• Experience working across disciplines and across partner institutions, including public-private partnerships and industry and academia.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of environmental and human health impact assessment concepts, and familiarity with the textile or materials value chain.
• Ability to collect, organize and analyze quantitative data, and to document methods and assumptions so that work is traceable and reproducible.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present technical findings to industry, policy and public audiences.
• Ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, track deliverables and meet milestones on a funded research schedule.
• Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, engineers, designers and external partners across two institutions.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis tools, and willingness to learn life cycle assessment software and databases.
• Discretion in handling pre-publication research data and partner information.

Additional Information

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $90,000 per year

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F, 35 hours per week, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

Retirement Plans

• Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• FIT Tuition Exemption Program
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
• 4-day Summer Workweek
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at [phone] or via email at [e-mail].

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360.

Annual Security Report

The safety and well-being of FIT's students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety's administrative office number at [phone].

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be primarily in any combination of an office space, classroom, or lab. The physical requirement for this position will require frequent sitting, occasional standing, occasional bending or twisting, occasional walking, occasional climbing, occasional pulling, pushing, or reaching, frequent repetitive motions, frequent use of hands to handle objects, and occasionally lifting up to 20 lbs.