Wealth Equity Lab Research Associate

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang college of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION OVERVIEW

 
Research Associate – RRF Foundation for Aging Grant Projects, "Keeping Retirement Research Alive: Building Knowledge and Training Scholars"

The Research Associate serves as a member of the research team conducting one of two mixed-methods projects at the Wealth Equity Lab (WEL), supported by the RRF Foundation for Aging grant noted above. The project examines retirement security and long-term/spousal care. During the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 terms, the Research Associate will assist with project logistics, primarily related to Mandarin-English translation during individual, in-person interviews and assisting with transcripts and post-interview translations.

The Research Associate needs to be fluent in both Mandarin and English.

The position is a stipend position with 42 hours over the course of the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. The pay rate is $40.00/hr. The RA will be issued two separate appointment letters and payments - one for work completed in Fall 2026 and one for work completed in Spring 2027.

The Associate reports to Desiree LaVecchia ([email protected]). This position is governed by the SENS-UAW collective bargaining agreement; details not mandated by that agreement, such as supervisor or start date, may change and will be confirmed in the appointment letter from Human Resources.

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Translate between English and Mandarin during individual interviews and re-interviews with Mandarin-speaking participants, ensuring that participants’ responses and researchers’ questions are conveyed accurately and completely.
• Serve as the primary language liaison for all upcoming interviews with Mandarin-speaking participants over the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 terms, communicating in a clear, respectful, and professional manner.
• Review project materials and previously conducted interviews to become familiar with the study’s goals, themes, and terminology related to retirement security and long-term and spousal care.
• Coordinate with the research team and principal investigator to prepare for interviews, including confirming schedules and discussing key concepts or terms that may require careful translation.
• Assist with interview logistics, such as scheduling sessions with participants and confirming interview details before each session.
• Assist with transcription of interview recordings following interviews, as requested by the research team.
• Maintain the confidentiality of participant information and interview content in accordance with project and university research protocols.

QUALIFICATIONS

Acceptable qualifications include:

• Fluency in both Mandarin and English, with the ability to speak, listen, and translate accurately in both directions (English to Mandarin and Mandarin to English) in real time.
• Experience in interpretation or translation
• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with older adult participants, including when discussing sensitive topics such as retirement, finances, and caregiving.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of participant information and interview content.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to convey meaning accurately and completely without adding, omitting, or altering content.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a research team.
• Availability to attend interviews and re-interviews during the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 terms, including some sessions that may take place outside of regular business hours to accommodate participants’ schedules.

WORK MODE

Hybrid - Employees hired for this position primarily work remotely with the occasional on-campus presence required with advanced notice. Employees in this role will also be expected to use their best judgment to be on campus when necessary in order to best fulfill the responsibilities of their job descriptions. #LI-DNI

HOURLY RATE: $40.00/hr for 42 hours over the course of the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. 

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between SENS-UAW, Local 7902 and the University.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

WHY JOIN US? 

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

Responsibilities:

The Research Associate will be responsible for familiarizing themselves with the overall project and the interviews that have been conducted to date. They will play a leading role in translation during all upcoming interviews with Mandarin-speaking participants. They will need to translate from English to Mandarin, and from Mandarin to English. They may be asked to help with transcription following the interviews.