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Description
Research assistants play an important role at MPC, offering support for our projects by researching, writing, and learning about planning policy in the region. Research Assistants at MPC have exposure to a broad range of regional policy issues and the opportunity to connect with a variety of planning agencies, community groups, and officials. Compensation for research assistant positions is $18 per hour. MPC also provides a $35/month transportation subsidy. We welcome students with federal work-study and those seeking course credit to apply.
MPC is looking for a Research Assistant (RA) with advanced Excel and GIS skills. The RA will support MPC’s Zoning and Land Use Assessment project and will work closely with the Research team, particularly the Director and Manager.
This independent contractor position requires a time commitment of 20 hours per week. It will start in January 2025 and run through June 2025 with the possibility of extension until the end of 2025. Specific dates are to be determined based on the candidate's availability.
Key Responsibilities
- Primary responsibilities will be supporting the Research Team on a longitudinal examination of Chicago’s zoning policies and their impacts on several outcomes, primarily climate change adaptation and productive land use. Potential research questions on these outcomes could include:
- How has zoning over time contributed to climate harms/mitigation? How is zoning conducive (or not) to climate adaptation?
- How is the distribution of vacant land and parking uses related to zoning and demographics? Does the distribution of vacant land and parking uses have implications for racial equity, public health, and sustainability? How are productive uses defined and how do they relate to zoning?
- Secondary responsibilities include supporting the Research Team on other zoning and land use-related research tasks. Potential projects could include scanning and georeferencing defined geographies in historic zoning maps, and GIS mapping of case studies focusing on the relationship between zoning and both pollution exposure and business corridors, as well as the other four outcomes identified as part of the initiative
Kris Tiongson (he, him, his)
Manager, Research & Evaluation | Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S. Dearborn St. | Suite 1400 | Chicago, IL 60603
224.645.7149 | ktiongson@metroplanning.org
MPC advocates for policies and practices that support thriving communities, equitable infrastructure, and just public systems. Explore the 2024 policy objectives for the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois today.
