GIS Research Specialist

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Overview

The GIS Research Specialist will support the research mission of the Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions (YCGS) by helping faculty, students, and research teams apply geospatial technologies to interdisciplinary projects. The role combines technical expertise in geographic information systems, spatial analysis, and cartographic design with collaborative research support to ensure that geospatial data are effectively analyzed, visualized, and communicated. Working across multiple research initiatives, the GIS Research Specialist will assist investigators in integrating geospatial methods into project design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. A central component of the role is the development of high-quality cartographic and spatial data products that support research findings and communicate geographic patterns clearly to academic, policy, and public audiences.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Supporting faculty, staff, and students in the design and execution of geospatial components of research projects, including spatial data acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation.

2. Developing clear, accurate, and visually compelling maps and geospatial visualizations for academic publications, reports, proposals, presentations, and digital platforms.

3. Assisting researchers in translating spatial datasets-including satellite imagery, drone data, GPS measurements, and field observations-into meaningful analytical and visual outputs.

4. Maintaining efficient workflows for managing, processing, and documenting spatial datasets while ensuring high standards of data quality, reproducibility, and organization.

5. Providing technical consultation on geospatial software, spatial analysis methods, and cartographic design to support research teams across a range of disciplines.

6. Identifying and evaluating emerging tools and techniques in geospatial analysis, visualization, and data processing that can enhance research capabilities within the Center.

7. Supporting the preparation of research outputs by contributing spatial analysis, maps, and figures for manuscripts, reports, proposals, and other research communications.

8. Collaborating with faculty, research staff, and external partners to apply geospatial methods to complex environmental, social, and scientific challenges.

The GIS Research Specialist will work in a dynamic research environment with multiple concurrent projects and collaborators across campus. The successful candidate will be highly organized, collaborative, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple research tasks simultaneously and communicate complex spatial information through clear analysis and effective cartographic design. In this role, the GIS Research Specialist will contribute to the development of analytically rigorous and visually compelling geospatial products-including publication-quality maps, spatial visualizations, and interactive geospatial outputs-that help communicate research insights and support interdisciplinary discovery. The role emphasizes analytical thinking, spatial problem-solving, and the production of high-quality geospatial research outputs rather than routine technical support.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

1.Proficiency in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data analysis.

2.Experience working with satellite imagery, drone/UAS data, and geospatial datasets.

3.Familiarity with Python, R, or related tools for spatial analysis, data processing, and reproducible geospatial workflows.

Preferred Education and Experience:

1.Master’s degree in Geography, GIS, Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related field.

2.Experience supporting interdisciplinary research using GIS, spatial analysis, and cartographic design.

3.Demonstrated ability to produce publication-quality maps and geospatial visualizations and manage spatial data workflows across multiple projects.
 

Principal Responsibilities

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience.

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Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.