Temporary Research Aide

The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning at Cornell University (Cornell AAP) includes the departments of Architecture, Art, City and Regional Planning, the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate (jointly led by AAP and the SC Johnson College of Business), the multicollege Department of Design Tech, and the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities. The college spans three locations—in Ithaca, New York City, and Rome, Italy—each with world-class facilities and cutting-edge technologies.

Cornell AAP is about acts of transformation. We are committed to reimagining and reshaping the world in new ways, every day. A vital college at one of the nation's foremost research universities, Cornell AAP brings faculty, staff, and students together from around the world to address urgent global challenges and advance collaborative, research-driven approaches that support a more just and resilient future.

Purpose of the Position

The Temporary Research Aide will support ongoing, mission‑critical research in the MULTIMESO Lab, directed by Assistant Professor Tiffany Cheng in the Department of Design Tech at Cornell University. The lab focuses on advancing bioregional material resources through bio‑inspired additive manufacturing methods for smarter, more resilient products, buildings, and infrastructure. Research spans micro‑, meso‑, and macro‑scale material systems with programmable and environmentally responsive behaviors.

This temporary role will provide hands‑on research and fabrication support for the Programmable Ecologies project, which investigates hygromorphic, wood‑based biomaterials for passively responsive and ecologically attuned architectural systems.

Duties and Responsibilities may include

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Assist with research activities related to bio-inspired and hygromorphic material systems

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Support fabrication, assembly, and testing of physical prototypes

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Assist with material preparation, documentation, and data collection

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Support monitoring of prototypes deployed in real-world environments

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Maintain an organized and safe research and fabrication workspace

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Collaborate with lab members during prototyping and testing activities

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Perform routine research support tasks as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

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Background or coursework in architecture, design technology, materials science, or a related field

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Interest in material research, fabrication, and experimental prototyping

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Ability to follow detailed instructions and safety procedures

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Strong attention to detail and ability to work collaboratively in a lab environment

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Prior experience with fabrication tools or research environments preferred

Location: Ithaca Main Campus, Rand Hall, 921 University Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853

Supervisor: Tiffany Cheng

University Job Title

Temporary Research Aide

Job Family

Temporary Academic Support

Level

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Contact Name

Ann Owens

Contact Email

aao29@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:

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Prior relevant work or industry experience

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Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

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Unique applicable skills

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Academic Discipline

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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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2026-06-12