Research Assistant - Fashion, Memory, Identify & Belonging

The New School; West Trenton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Assistant at The New School will support a faculty-led project exploring fashion, memory, identity, and belonging through research and design development. The role emphasizes meaningful academic and professional experience for students in fashion design, cultural studies, and social justice, with remote and occasional on-campus work.

The position involves fabric research, garment sampling, documentation, and exhibition preparation, offering opportunities to contribute original

Qualifications

• Must be a matriculated New School student, registered at least half-time.
• Must have strong sewing skills and demonstrate a solid understanding of garment construction, seam finishes, and fabric properties.
• Strong interest in fashion design, cultural identity, memory studies, or social justice in creative practice.
• Research and writing skills, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Experience with design development, technical documentation, and digital archiving is preferred.
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods (such as interviews or oral histories) is a plus.
• Commitment to principles of equity, inclusion, and diverse representation in design and scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Must have strong sewing and technical skills.
• Experience with industrial sewing machines is required.
• Assist with conducting wardrobe interviews, oral histories, and related field research
• Support the organization, transcription, and management of research materials, including archival documents and visual references
• Contribute to design documentation, including sketches, technical notes, and material sourcing records
• Provide hands‑on design support, such as fabric research, garment sampling, and finishing details
• Assist with garment construction tasks, including cutting, sewing, and fitting under faculty guidance
• Participate in discussions on research findings and their integration into design outcomes
• Provide assistance with exhibition preparation, including cataloguing works, preparing material, and coordinating logistics
• Collaborate with the faculty supervisor to ensure research and design tasks are completed in a timely and organized manner
• Contribute a student‑led creative response or design piece that reflects their own identity, which may be included in the final exhibition (optional)

Skills

Sewing skills

Industrial sewing

Research & writing

Organization

Design documentation

Qualitative research

Equity & inclusion

Education

Enrolled student at The New School

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Job description

The Research Assistant will support a faculty-led project that investigates the intersections of fashion, memory, identity, and belonging. The project integrates research, scholarship, and creative practice, culminating in the development of a collection and a public exhibition. The Research Assistant will contribute to this work through both research activities and design development. The role is designed to provide meaningful academic and professional experience, particularly for students interested in fashion design, cultural studies, and social justice.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Must have strong sewing and technical skills.
• Experience with industrial sewing machines is required.
• Assist with conducting wardrobe interviews, oral histories, and related field research
• Support the organization, transcription, and management of research materials, including archival documents and visual references
• Contribute to design documentation, including sketches, technical notes, and material sourcing records
• Provide hands‑on design support, such as fabric research, garment sampling, and finishing details
• Assist with garment construction tasks, including cutting, sewing, and fitting under faculty guidance
• Participate in discussions on research findings and their integration into design outcomes
• Provide assistance with exhibition preparation, including cataloguing works, preparing material, and coordinating logistics
• Collaborate with the faculty supervisor to ensure research and design tasks are completed in a timely and organized manner
• Contribute a student‑led creative response or design piece that reflects their own identity, which may be included in the final exhibition (optional)

Qualifications – Education, Experience, and Skills

• Must be a matriculated New School student, registered at least half‑time.
• Must have strong sewing skills and demonstrate a solid understanding of garment construction, seam finishes, and fabric properties.
• Strong interest in fashion design, cultural identity, memory studies, or social justice in creative practice.
• Research and writing skills, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Experience with design development, technical documentation, and digital archiving is preferred.
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods (such as interviews or oral histories) is a plus.
• Commitment to principles of equity, inclusion, and diverse representation in design and scholarship.

Work Mode

Hybrid/Remote - Employees hired for this position primarily work remotely with the occasional on‑campus presence required with advanced notice. Employees in this role will also be expected to use their best judgment to be on campus when necessary in order to best fulfill the responsibilities of their job descriptions.

Hourly Rate

$31.37/hour

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between SENS-UAW, Local 7902 and the University.

Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will support a faculty-led project that investigates the intersections of fashion, memory, identity, and belonging. The Research Assistant will contribute to this work through both research activities and design development. The role is designed to provide meaningful academic and professional experience, particularly for students interested in fashion design, cultural studies, and social justice.

Since our founding in 1919, The New School has redrawn and redefined the boundaries of intellectual and creative thought as a preeminent academic center. At our university, students have the academic freedom to shape their unique, individual paths for a complex and rapidly changing world. As a New School employee, you will be a part of the university’s mission to prepare and inspire students to bring about positive change in the world.