Research Assistant/Associate (Sociospatial Analytics)

The Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC) at SUTD is seeking a full-time Research Assistant/Associate with strong quantitative skills to support applied urban analytics projects.

The position is suited for candidates who enjoy working with real-world data and translating quantitative insights into planning, design, and policy applications. The successful applicant will join a growing interdisciplinary team working at the intersection of behavioural science, urban systems, and data-driven decision-making.

About the role

The successful candidate will contribute to projects in the Urban Psychology Lab and the Urban Environmental Sustainability Programme, with a focus on developing analytical methods and practical tools for understanding how people interact with urban environments.

Current and upcoming projects include:

• Public perceptions and behaviours in urban public spaces
• Planning for social capital and liveability
• Urban mobility, health, and environmental exposure
• Data-driven tools for planning and policy support

Projects typically involve the integration of survey and observation data, geospatial datasets, sensor streams, and digital platform data to address applied urban challenges.

Key responsibilities

The candidate will be expected to:

• Conduct geospatial and statistical analyses on large and complex datasets
• Design and implement quantitative research workflows
• Develop custom analytical tools, scripts, or lightweight applications using Python, R, or JavaScript
• Manage research code, data pipelines, and documentation
• Support the preparation of academic manuscripts, technical reports, and policy briefs
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and external stakeholders

Skills and qualifications required

• Bachelors or postgraduate degree (MA, MSc or equivalent) related to data science, computer science, geographical information science or related disciplines (e.g., urban data science and urban analytics)
• Highly Proficient in Python and/or R
• Demonstrable skills in quantitative data collection and analysis
• Ability to work with structured (e.g., tables, GPS data) and unstructured datasets (images/videos/texts)
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and data management skills
• Knowledge of GIS applications(e.g., Esri ArcGIS, QGIS) with database management systems (e.g., PostgreSQL) is a plus

How to apply:

Interested applicants are encouraged to send their application with the subject heading Research Assistant/Associate (Sociospatial Analytics) towith the following:

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and addressing the qualifications and skills requirements (1 page)
• Curriculum vitae (including your GitHub homepage, if applicable)
• One coding sample and one writing sample (publication or research work)
• Three referees who may be contacted for a reference

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Applications will be reviewed and will continue until the position is filled.