Researcher 2

The Minnesota Design Center (MDC) seeks a motivated individual to serve as a Researcher 2 to assist with design, research and project management support for several multi-year community-based research projects.

This position will require work on one or both of the following projects:

Design Assist

Design Assist project, funded by the Bush Foundation. This three-year project involves working with the MDC staff and research assistants in service to community based organizations, especially those in under-served areas of the Twin Cities and across Minnesota, in need of urban design assistance.

The position requires a person able to work independently, keeping the Principal Investigator (PI) and senior research fellows informed of progress, and making decisions as required in a timely way for the good of the project. The position involves supporting the students working on projects and aiding in design work as assigned by the MDC's studio head. This work can vary considerably from day to day and can be very complex, so the person in this position needs to be able to respond to diverse needs and switch from one task to another quickly. This position requires some local travel throughout the state of Minnesota and overtime/after hours/weekend work for community engagement events, site analysis, and community meetings. A valid driver's license is required for this role.

Empowering Small Minnesota Communities (ESMC)

This state-funded, multi-year project involves working with several community-based teams led by MDC affiliates and research assistants, in coordination with the regional Executive Directors of the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, with the staff of the Center for Transportation Studies and with faculty from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. The goal of the project is to help small (under 15,000 population) communities in the state compete more effectively for funding from sources such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the state's Legacy, Bonding and LCCMR funds.

The position involves supporting MDC senior research fellows working on Community Strategies and Specific Projects aiding in design work as assigned by the MDC director. The position requires a person able to work independently, keeping the Principal Investigator (PI) and senior research fellows informed of progress, and making decisions as required in a timely way for the good of the project. This work can vary considerably from day to day and can be very complex, engaging in multiple projects simultaneously, so the person in this position needs to be able to respond to diverse needs and switch from one task to another quickly. This position requires some local travel throughout the state of Minnesota and overtime/after hours/weekend work for community engagement events, site analysis, and community meetings. A valid driver's license is required for this role.

Duration: This is a 100% full-time 12-month appointment with a possible extension depending on funding.

Responsibilities:

75% Design and research support

• Work with the Design Assist and/or Empowering Small Minnesota Communities leadership to share information, address challenges, and ensure the progress of the various projects.
• Participate in regular check-in team meetings, various cohort meetings, and problem-solving sessions with team leaders and communities.
• Collaborate closely with the senior research fellow on community design work and on the supervision of the student research assistants
• Help create and deliver presentations online and in person, providing updates on the plans and progress of the Design Assist and/or Empowering Small Minnesota Communities project.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data to evaluate the progress of the work and to assess its impact in preparation of yearly reports to the Bush Foundation, collaborative partners, and funders.
• Assist in the preparation of visualizations (maps, diagrams, collages, renderings), reports, factsheets, research summaries, and white papers that synthesize research findings for various stakeholders.

25% Program management support

• Track the outcomes of the work in terms of various metrics of success.
• Share information to facilitate the work and broaden its impact.
• Help arrange team cohort meetings and monitor the progress of teams.
• Help ensure that the work is being done properly and is documented correctly for future use.
• Coordinate with other organizations and communicate the work more broadly to various audiences.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, planning, or geography.
• One year of relevant work experience in any related field.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems and ESRI's ArcGIS products: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Planner, ArcGIS Storymap, ArcGIS Survey 123, and etc.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud: Indesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Experience in 3-D modeling and Rendering software: Sketchup, Rhinoceros, V-Ray, and Enscape.
• Ability to conduct research into the needs of communities and relevant solutions to those needs
• Ability to research and design projects under the supervision of MDC staff
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate or professional degree in a relevant field (BArch, MArch, BLA, MLA, MURP or MCP, M-GIS)
• Experience working in multiple scales and systems: regional, local, and neighborhood.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems and ESRI's ArcGIS products.
• 3-5 year relevant work experience in any related field
• Ability to work independently and to assess information critically.
• Ability to deal with a range of personalities and a diversity of communities.
• Interest in the challenges and opportunities of under-served communities
• Design-thinking experience involving diverse communities with varied needs
• Community engagement experience related to environmental and urbanism issues

Pay Range: $25.15 - $28/hr; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Portfolio or Work Samples demonstrating previous work.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.