GIS Research Specialist

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.

• Support faculty, staff, and students in the design and execution of geospatial components of research projects, including spatial data acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation.
• Develop clear, accurate, and visually compelling maps and geospatial visualizations for academic publications, reports, proposals, presentations, and digital platforms.
• Assist researchers in translating spatial datasets—including satellite imagery, drone data, GPS measurements, and field observations—into meaningful analytical and visual outputs.
• Maintain efficient workflows for managing, processing, and documenting spatial datasets while ensuring high standards of data quality, reproducibility, and organization.
• Provide technical consultation on geospatial software, spatial analysis methods, and cartographic design to support research teams across a range of disciplines.
• Identify and evaluate emerging tools and techniques in geospatial analysis, visualization, and data processing that can enhance research capabilities within the Center.
• Support the preparation of research outputs by contributing spatial analysis, maps, and figures for manuscripts, reports, proposals, and other research communications.
• Collaborate with faculty, research staff, and external partners to apply geospatial methods to complex environmental, social, and scientific challenges.

• Proficiency in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data analysis.
• Experience working with satellite imagery, drone/UAS data, and geospatial datasets.
• Familiarity with Python, R, or related tools for spatial analysis, data processing, and reproducible geospatial workflows.

• Master’s degree in Geography, GIS, Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary research using GIS, spatial analysis, and cartographic design.
• Demonstrated ability to produce publication‑quality maps and geospatial visualizations and manage spatial data workflows across multiple projects.

• User Training:
  Provide advanced training and guidance to users of the research core.
• Experiment Support:
  Collaborate with researchers on experimental design, execution, data analysis, and troubleshooting within the research core.
• Facility/Instrument Support:
  Manage and oversee research projects within the research core.
• Technique Development:
  Lead the implementation and optimization of advanced techniques and methodologies and develop standard operating procedures for research core services.
• Data Analysis/Interpretation:
  Analyze and interpret complex scientific data, generating meaningful insights and recommendations.
• Equipment Procurement:
  Assist in the selection, acquisition, and maintenance of research core equipment.
• Professional Development:
  Stay updated with emerging research trends and technologies. Participate in professional development activities and scientific conferences.
• Scientific Participation:
  Contribute scientific data for manuscript preparation and grant proposals.
• Staff Training and Mentoring:
  Contribute to the training and mentoring of junior staff members.
• Vendor Relations:
  Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and evaluate new technologies for…