LPA is an integrated design firm focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces through architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and research. The Junior Design Researcher will support the Sustainability + Applied Research team by conducting multidisciplinary research, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and translating findings into practical insights for interdisciplinary design teams and clients.
Conduct literature reviews to gather, evaluate, and synthesize multidisciplinary research in response to project and research questions
Develop research briefs, presentations, visuals, and other resources that translate research findings into clear, digestible insights and practical implications that designers and clients can easily understand and apply
Look across projects and research findings to identify recurring patterns, opportunities, and questions worth investigating further
Help build LPA's internal research knowledge base, making previous studies, findings, and resources easier for teams to access and reuse
Help develop and refine research tools and methodologies that can be used consistently across projects
Support and facilitate pre-design research and stakeholder engagement, including surveys, interviews, workshops, and other methods for understanding user needs and behaviors
Support and coordinate post-occupancy evaluations (POEs), including outreach, data collection, analysis, and reporting
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify patterns, themes, and meaningful findings
Work with design teams to establish measurable project goals and identify ways to evaluate design outcomes
Explore creative approaches to investigating research questions when established methods or data are not readily available
Communicate research findings and lessons learned through internal presentations and, as experience grows, external publications, presentations, and thought leadership
Perform other duties as applicable
Qualification
Required
MS or PhD in environmental psychology, applied research, design research, social science, data science, or a related field
Proficiency in Microsoft Project and Excel
Strong written communication and verbal presentation skills
Experience with mixed-methods research
Experience with online research tools
Experience conducting literature searches or literature reviews
Basic descriptive statistical or data analysis experience
Data visualization or other graphic skills for communication of data
Awareness of current research ethics and equity, diversity, and inclusion topics
Entrepreneurial energy, comfortable with some ambiguity
Proactive attitude, prepared to ask questions, and always looking for opportunities to improve
Preferred
Additional Research training or certifications
Human Subjects Research Training (current certification not required)
LEED, WELL, EDAC, or similar certifications
Design or engineering training or certifications
Experience in any of the following: GIS, Power BI, AI for research, research in AR/VR/XR, grant writing, Adobe Creative Suite
Experience in or excitement to learn how to facilitate meetings and workshops
Understanding of a typical architectural design process, from concept and schematic design, design development and construction documentation, construction, and post-occupancy
Education in or excitement to learn more about sustainability topics such as energy performance, carbon emissions, material impacts, and resiliency, and find ways for human-environment research to better inform sustainable design
Benefits
Annual bonus eligibility
Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.
Career development support, including professional development grants and in-house training.
Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.
8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.
Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.
Access to our Professional Development Grants program
Health and dental insurance
Retirement and financial planning
Wellness initiatives
Flexible work/life programs
Since LPA was founded in 1965, it's been our mission to deliver timeless, sustainable designs that benefit the environment, generate lasting value, enrich the human experience and ensure a better future.
