Research Support Specialist II - CALS - Department of Global Development - Tata

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Department Background:

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 Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) is a long-term research initiative focused on solving problems of poverty, malnutrition, and rural development in India. TCI was established with a generous gift from the Tata Trust to conduct multidisciplinary research, and to facilitate research grants and fellowships to prominent student and professional researchers at Cornell, in India, and across the globe. The TCI team works alongside partner institutions in India and globally to address the agriculture-nutrition nexus.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Position Summary:

This position will work under the general supervision of the TCI Assistant Director who is a PI on the grant from the Walmart Foundation, funding this project, to ensure delivery of a fully operational TCI FPO Data Platform to serve stakeholders in India. This Research Support Specialist will work closely with the Assistant Director/PI to:
Transition the existing FPO Data Platform from its beta state ensuring rigorous fine tuning of functionalities based on comprehensive user testing.

• Increase usage of the platform engaging stakeholders to create utility and functionality of "MyFPOConnect" managing vendors engaged to ensure search engine optimization, and integration of new tools (comparison, reporting, and self-profile management) to improve and enhance user engagement.
• Manage procurement of data for user testing and work with vendor towards automating data updates through data pipelines.
• Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data and relevant information through fieldwork for TCI research on FPOs.
• Prepare a report titled "State of FPOs in India", a critical resource for researchers, policymakers, donors, and market players.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE. This position is based in Ithaca, NY with on-site work arrangements.
This grant supported term-appointment will end on November 30, 2025.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

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.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Bachelor's degree in applied economics, nutrition, food policy, international development, or related field and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision-making.
• Ability to consistently exercise sound and ethical judgment when working on behalf of TCI and Cornell University.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, written, and oral communication skills. Must be comfortable with public speaking and building working relationships with a wide variety of constituents.
• Strong orientation to detail, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and problem solving.
• Personable, flexible, possessing excellent organizational and communications skills (both written and oral).
• Proven proficiency in MS Office, prototyping tools, project management and statistical software.
• Valid passport and ability to travel to India, 2-3 times a year for meetings, workshops, and to meet with vendors.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and wellbeing.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Master's degree and 3 to5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation, including familiarity with data analytics tools and methodologies.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, data science, marketing, and customer support.
• Knowledge of the use of AWS services for infrastructure management.
• Experience in Google Analytics and search engine optimization strategies.
• Experience with research conducted in South Asia, specifically in India.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• 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.

University Job Title:

Research Support Spec II

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$68,445.00 - $77,163.00

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Tamara Shollenberger

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2025-02-05

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Minimum Salary: 34320.00 Maximum Salary: 34320.00 Salary Unit: Yearly