[mitgis] GIS Data Lab Assistant Position Opening - Spring 2026

[Erin Shives]

The MIT Libraries' department of Data and Specialized Services is seeking a responsible graduate student to help support the GIS & Data Lab's operations. The GIS & Data Lab supports teaching and research efforts throughout the MIT community and foster collaboration around data science, analysis, and visualization. More information can be found here<https://libraries.mit.edu/data-services/gis-data-lab/>. This is an in-person position reporting to the GIS & Data Lab in Rotch Library for the spring 2026 academic semester.

Data Lab Assistant Position - Spring 2026
GIS, Statistics, and Data Science Experience
Applications Close Monday, December 15th, 2025: https://libguides.mit.edu/c.php?g=176338&p=1160195&preview=e22636c492a8ea37567eea82884f71c4

Responsibilities:
The Data Lab Assistant position includes the following:

  *   Providing friendly user service by answering questions about the Lab and our data services, along with helping to triage support to DSS staff members when necessary.
  *   Helping with "drop-in" support for students around GIS, statistics, data science or analysis questions, assignments, projects, etc.
  *   Reviewing and updating instructional resources for the Data Lab team.
  *   Keeping the GIS & Data Lab clean, organized, and operational.
  *   Ensuring all technology is working in the space (ensuring the computers are turned on, appropriately connected, and technology is available for student use)
  *   Providing additional assistance for on-going Data Lab projects.
Desired Qualifications:
Basic Requirements:

  *   Friendly, approachable, and enjoy user service roles where you work with others and help students learn and succeed.
  *   Organized, on time, and can keep the spaces clean, tidy, and functional.
  *   Ability to troubleshoot, answer questions, and solve problems using resources provided along with resources you can find online to answer the questions.
  *   Interest in learning new software, analysis applications and methodologies, or computer processes.
  *   Comfort troubleshooting basic computer issues (connecting cables, restarting machines)
Preferred Qualifications:
We are looking for students who are familiar with GIS, statistics, data science, data analysis, visualization, text analysis, or have an interest in building these technical skills.
Note: We do not expect candidates to have all listed skills and knowledge of software!

  *   Working knowledge of Esri's ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS with comfort troubleshooting issues users have with the programs.
  *   Working knowledge or willingness to learn more about the Esri suite of services including ArcGIS Online, Esri StoryMaps, Survey123, WebApp Builder and/or other Esri applications.
  *   Working knowledge of other GIS applications not listed above.
  *   Interest and willingness to learn about data visualization, web-mapping and computer science.
  *   Familiarity with geospatial data; including acquisition and basic analysis and visualization methods.
Hours:
The GIS & Data Lab is open 10:00am - 6:00pm from Monday - Friday, excluding campus holidays. The successful candidate will be expected to hold weekly drop-in help hours on a set schedule within this operational window. Additional hours will be coordinated based on the candidate's availability outside of academic commitments, approximately 5-10 hours weekly.
Pay Rate:
The compensation for this position is $20.00/hour.
Start Date:
January 2026-exact date is negotiable.
How to Apply:
To apply for a Data Lab Assistant Position, please complete the following:
Please fill out the following application form and upload your resume: Application Form<https://mit.studentemployment.ngwebsolutions.com/jobxJobdetailPrint.aspx?JobId=5231&win=True>
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final application deadline of Monday, December 15th, 2025.
For any questions regarding this position, please contact Paxton LaJoie at plajoie at mit.edu<mailto:plajoie at mit.edu>.


  *   The GIS Team
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