Research Assistant: Conditions Design & Strategy Tools

The New School; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The New School is seeking a Research Assistant to contribute to the development of Conditions Design, exploring how policy and culture interact with business strategy. The role blends theory with practical tool design for graduate-level scholarship and industry applications.

The position emphasizes interdisciplinary work across design, policy, and strategy, with hybrid/remote work and on-campus opportunities as needed.

Qualifications

• Coursework or project experience in institutional analysis, regulatory studies, administrative law, or public policy.
• Experience designing frameworks, canvases, workshop tools, or other structured decision-support artifacts.
• Familiarity with design thinking methodology and tools (e.g., customer journey mapping, service design, systems thinking).
• Proficiency with visual/prototyping tools such as Figma or Miro.
• Interest or background in sustainability, ESG, circular economy, or social innovation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature review and source verification across design thinking, institutional theory, regulatory studies, and related fields.
• Research and help document real-world case studies illustrating the interaction between policy/regulatory conditions and innovation outcomes.
• Assist in designing a practical framework or tool (e.g., a “Conditions Audit” or “Conditions Map”) that operationalizes Conditions Design principles for business practitioners.
• Support prototyping and iteration of the tool (e.g., in Figma, Miro, or similar), including structuring content, visual layout, and usability considerations.
• Compile and organize research materials, citations, and supporting documentation.
• Participate in regular check-ins to discuss findings, direction, and revisions.

Job description

The New School is seeking a Research Assistant to contribute to the development of Conditions Design, exploring how policy and culture interact with business strategy. The role blends theory with practical tool design for graduate-level scholarship and industry applications.

The position emphasizes interdisciplinary work across design, policy, and strategy, with hybrid/remote work and on-campus opportunities as needed.