The Urban Design department is responsible for crafting and executing a beautiful, human-scale, and inclusive vision for the design of the built environment across Boston. We champion the transformative power of beautiful, sustainable, walkable communities for everyone that support social, mental, and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity.

Under direction of the Deputy Director of Design, the Design Strategies Researcher will conduct research and analysis to support urban design leadership and staff participating in design review, design studies, planning initiatives, and developing design guidelines and zoning.

The Urban Design team is composed of a diverse group of architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and planners with a range of skills and backgrounds, working together to use design to improve life for those who live and work in Boston. The Design Strategies Researcher will fulfill the responsibilities listed below and bring a collaborative spirit that will strengthen and expand the team’s overall range of abilities.

The general duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

• Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams consisting of planners, architects, landscape architects, policymakers, urban designers, researchers, GIS specialists, and data analysts.
• Support all aspects of planning and urban design processes, including analysis and scenario planning.
• Be responsible for creating 2D and 3D analytical visualizations and other content.
• Develop research and analytical methods and tools to support design, planning, and zoning processes, such as urban design guidelines, feasibility studies, and impact analyses for a range of scales, from individual parcels to citywide planning and zoning initiatives.
• Collaborate with other City departments on design problems and planning projects with a focus on urban design and the City’s public realm.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Planning Department teams, including GIS, Research, Planning & Zoning, as needed.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other City departments and teams, such as the Office of Emerging Technology, the Citywide Analytics Team in the Innovation and Technology Cabinet, and the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM), to apply data, technology, and innovation in urban design research and planning.
• Present urban design and data analysis during internal and external meetings.
• Work with a variety of teams and contribute to a range of project types and geographies.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• The position requires a master's degree in architecture, urban design, or a closely related field, plus four (4A) years of related professional experience. Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in architecture, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field with a minimum of six (6) years of experience may also apply.

• The work requires the ability to:
• Use data and spatial analysis to solve complex urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales.
• Effectively and clearly communicate with a range of stakeholders graphically and verbally.
• Work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team and across multiple departments.

• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS, and/or equivalent programs is required.
• Technical skills, including data analysis, reporting, dashboarding, mapping, and visualization using Python, R, SQL, or Tableau, are highly desirable.
• Experience with sensor technologies, IoT platforms, and real-time data systems is welcome.

Application Requirements:

Applicants are required to submit work samples that illustrate strong graphic and written communication skills or one graphic work sample and one written work sample. Work samples need to be combined as a single PDF with the applicant's cover letter and resume.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/($75,000 - $105,000)

Hours per week: 35