Research Assistant - [TBD]Design Development & Research Assistant

The New School; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 82,656,000 - 96,432,000; Part time

Job summary

The New School seeks a Research Assistant to help develop [TBD] Design, viewing structural conditions as active design material and contributing to scholarly work and a practical practitioner framework.

Hybrid/Remote work with periodic on-campus presence, compensation at $31.37 per hour. The role supports literature reviews, case studies, and tool prototyping using design thinking and prototyping tools; a pathway to push original scholarship and shared practitioners' resources.

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 (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.

Skills

Institutional analysis

Regulatory studies

Public policy

Design thinking

Sustainability

Tools

Figma

Miro

Job description

Position Purpose

This position supports the development of [TBD] Design, an emerging paradigm that treats structural conditions - legal, regulatory, institutional, economic, historical, and cultural - as active design material rather than fixed constraints. The Research Assistant will support both the theoretical development of this framework (contributing to an academic book chapter) and the design of practical tools that allow business strategists and innovators to apply it. This is an opportunity for a graduate student with interdisciplinary interests in design, policy, and business strategy to contribute directly to original scholarship and co-develop a new practitioner-facing framework from the ground up.

Duties & 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.

Qualifications – Education, Experience, and Skills

• 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

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.

#LI-DNI 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

This position supports the development of [TBD] Design, an emerging paradigm that treats structural conditions - legal, regulatory, institutional, economic, historical, and cultural - as active design material rather than fixed constraints. The Research Assistant will support both the theoretical development of this framework (contributing to an academic book chapter) and the design of practical tools that allow business strategists and innovators to apply it.

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.

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.