Research Assistant

The Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC), established in 2012, is a research centre at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. LKYCIC aims to stimulate research on cities and urbanisation, and explore the role of technology, design and policy in providing urban solutions.

Within the Programme on Urban Innovation, we are seeking a full-time Research Assistant to contribute to the study of placekeeping, which involves the long-term management and maintenance of place. With a mixed-methods research approach, we will examine who the key stakeholders are in placekeeping, how they collaborate, and what facilitates or hinders their collaboration. The study aims to establish a methodology and framework that will enable the systematic investigation of placekeeping and inform future policies and practices related to placekeeping in Singapore.

 About the Position:

This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about placemaking, placekeeping, and community engagement in urban planning and design and is looking to gain experience for a future career in research.

You will:

• Work closely with the Principal Investigator and research team to craft data collection tools, including survey and interview questionnaire
• Conduct fieldwork and data collection activities, including interviews, on-site observations, and surveys
• Assist in conducting qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts and documents related to placekeeping projects
• Assist in the analysis of quantitative and spatial data
• Assist to prepare manuscripts and reports for publication
• Communicate research with public and private stakeholders and collaborators
• Research and write literature reviews
• Provide administrative support for research projects

Duration: The selected candidate is expected to start from January 2024. The initial term of appointment will be one year, extensible to longer terms upon satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A Bachelor’s/ Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as urban planning, geography, urban design, public policy, sociology, or environmental psychology.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including analysing and synthesizing data from multiple sources.
• Demonstrated skills in quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analysis
• Proficiency in data analysis software/ programming language (e.g. NVivo, Atlas.ti, R, Python)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including assisting in developing reports and papers for publication and presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong time management and project organisational skills.
• Proven ability to work in a team and an interdisciplinary environment, with minimal supervision.
• Solid understanding of, or work experience in placemaking and placekeeping is a plus
• Knowledge and/ or experience in designing data collection tools based on environmental psychology and community psychology is a plus.

How to Apply: The application with the subject heading – Placekeeping RA Application – should be sent via email to Dr. Yohei Kato at yohei_kato@sutd.edu.sg

The application must include the following:

• a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and addressing the qualifications and skills requirements (1-2 pages)
• a curriculum vitae
• a writing sample
• three referees who may be contacted for a reference

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This position remains open until filled. The Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities offers an exciting and intellectually stimulating environment where appointees can significantly contribute and develop professionally.