Research Aide, Remote Sensing and Tree Phenology

About the School of Integrative Plant Science, Soil and Crop Sciences Section
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about understanding how forests respond to a changing environment? Do you enjoy working with data, technology, and scientific research that helps advance knowledge of ecosystems and vegetation dynamics? We invite applications for a Research Aide, Remote Sensing and Tree Phenology position supporting innovative research on tree phenology, urban and rural forests, and remote sensing applications across diverse landscapes.

In this role, you will contribute to research that combines field observations, environmental monitoring, and cutting-edge remote sensing technologies to better understand vegetation patterns and ecosystem processes. You will work closely with researchers and students in a collaborative environment that values curiosity, scientific rigor, and teamwork.

This is a part-time (29.25 hours per week), onsite, 1 year term appointment which may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

What You Will Do

As a Research Aide, you will support both field-based and campus-based research activities. Key responsibilities include:

• Organizing, managing, and processing remote sensing datasets from multiple sources.
• Downloading, assembling, and maintaining research datasets.
• Performing data quality control and statistical analyses.
• Communicating and coordinating with members of the Principal Investigator's research group.
• Assisting with the processing and analysis of satellite, aerial, and drone imagery.
• Deploying, maintaining, and monitoring field cameras and environmental sensors.
• Entering, validating, and managing data within shared project databases.
• Preparing data summaries, reports, and visualizations to support research activities.
• Maintaining laboratory and field equipment.
• Ordering and tracking research supplies as needed.
• Supporting other research-related activities that advance project objectives.

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• High school diploma and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience working with data in a scripting environment such as R, Python, or Google Earth Engine.
• Familiarity with geospatial data, including raster and vector formats, coordinate reference systems, and spatial resolution.
• Ability to acquire data from online repositories and data portals, and to keep organized records of what was downloaded, when, and from where.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, process, and quality-check large datasets, including identifying anomalies and missing records.
• Ability to follow and document written data-processing protocols so that analyses can be reproduced by others.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent datasets and processing tasks.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have the Following

• Associate’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• This position is fully onsite and located on the Ithaca campus.
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is fully onsite and located on the Ithaca campus.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Research Aide II

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

B

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$23.40 - $24.28

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Aubrey Lang

Contact Email:

ajl63@cornell.edu

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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2026-10-21