Paid research positions for students
Graduate Research Assistant – PRISM
Paid Position
PRISM (Partnership for Research on Informal and Shared Mobility) is seeking a detail-oriented, proactive student to serve as a Graduate Research Assistant. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys organization, communication, and collaborating across diverse international research teams.
Responsibilities include:
Managing email communications with researchers and Next Gen Scholars across global cities
Coordinating the Next Gen Scholars program, which brings together graduate students and early-career professionals from around the world to support sustainable mobility research, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen cross-city collaboration
Scheduling and facilitating meetings and workshops
Assisting in the curation and maintenance of internal knowledge-sharing repositories (e.g., method guides, data templates)
Supporting logistics for peer reviews, speaker events, and partner coordination
Assisting with the preparation of presentation slide decks, survey drafts, and editing documents
Contact us: [email protected] and [email protected] if interested!
This paid position offers hands-on experience in international research coordination, systems thinking, and urban mobility policy.
Research Assistant – Commuter Van Project
Inclusive Climate Mitigation & Adaptation: The Case of Commuter Vans in NYC
Paid Position
We are seeking a passionate and curious student to support an emerging research project exploring commuter (“dollar”) vans in New York City as a case study in inclusive climate mitigation and adaptation. This project addresses a gap in current vehicle electrification literature by centering informal transport systems that primarily serve lower-income communities.
Responsibilities include:
Conducting literature reviews on popular transport and electrification policies
Assisting with qualitative research design (e.g., interview protocols, community engagement strategies)
Supporting outreach and coordinating with local van operators and advocacy groups
Helping to co-produce research outputs that inform both academic discussions and practical policy recommendations
This paid position is ideal for students interested in climate justice, transport equity, urban policy, and community-based research. 10-20 hours a week. $22.50/hr.
Contact us: [email protected] and [email protected] if interested!
PRISM: Partnership for Research on Informal and Shared Mobility
PRISM is a global research consortium working to better understand and improve informal transport and shared mobility (ISM) systems in low- and middle-income countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Funded by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF), PRISM brings together scholars, practitioners, and community members to co-create solutions that center equity, access, and sustainability.
What We Do:
PRISM aims to enhance service quality, reduce emissions, and improve working conditions for those most affected by ISM systems, especially lower-income residents in informal settlements. The initiative addresses climate change, air pollution, affordability, social equity and public health through bottom-up engagement and rigorous research.
Living Labs in Eight Cities:
Our work is grounded in local research through living labs in:
Accra · Bangkok · Beijing · Bogotá · Cape Town · Kumasi · Mumbai · San José
These labs unite drivers, operators, tech providers, government officials, and passengers to identify shared challenges and co-develop solutions.
Goals and Objectives:
Academic Output: PhD/MA theses, working papers, and peer-reviewed articles focused on governance, equity, and ISM systems.
Policy Impact: Policy briefs and practitioner dialogues aimed at influencing reform in line with the SDGs and climate agreements.
Sustainable Research Network: A long-term, cross-city learning network to support ongoing innovation and policy translation in the ISM space.
Learn more: https://prism.climate.columbia.edu/
Contact us: [email protected]