STEM – Junior Research Associate (Remote)
Famico Studios is working on world-building research for an upcoming AAA-period video game (comparable to Assasin's Creed and Ghost of Tsushima), which is a next-generation PC and console game that will take about four years to complete. We are looking to hire researchers interested in recreating the physical world of the Islamic Middle (Golden) Ages (9th-13th centuries) who have some level of proficiency in Arabic and familiarity with the Middle East. Academic fields such as architecture, physical geography, environmental science, and other STEM majors will help with the greater task of physical world-building to incorporate archeological buildings, urban planning, fauna, plants, oceans, astronomy, celestial objects, and beautiful geological formations and landscapes.
As a member of Famico's Research Division, you will provide secondary research to support game developer requests and IP development initiatives. In addition, you will be responsible for delivering on a variety of requests throughout the day. The position is paid and fully remote, and we welcome all backgrounds and levels of experience (this job is entry-level). Applicants who are available for full-time work are preferred, but we're happy to consider part-time availability on a case-by-case basis.
Backgrounds needed (or sister disciplines);
- Physical sciences: i.e., Atmospheric Science, Geology, Geography, Oceanography, Planetary science, Astronomy, Climatology, Geoarchaeology, Sedimentology.
- Life sciences: i.e., Biology, Astrobiology, Biological oceanography, Botany, Ecology, Ethology, Evolutionary biology, Mycology, Paleontology, Theoretical biology, Toxicology, Zoology, Geobiology, Natural history, Biogeography, Environmental Science.
- Built World/Environment: i.e., Architecture, Archeology, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture.
Responsibilities:
- Timely respond to requests throughout the work day.
- Perform various research tasks, including collecting source material, text/image annotation, document review, and fact-checking.
- Draft reports, annotated bibliographies, literature reviews, presentations, and internal memos.
- Present research findings to the research team.
- Track and organize requests and project progress in the team's management platform.
- Travel and conduct fieldwork occasionally (if applicable)
- Other research tasks as needed
Qualifications:
- Some level of proficiency with written Arabic (or previous scientific research on the MENA region within your respective field of expertise)
- A bachelor’s degree or at least four years of equivalent work experience in a related field
- Excellent analytical, research, writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, as well as independently, in remote settings
- Strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Slides, etc.) and Zoom
- Bonus points if you have talents, skills, or experience in any of the following...
- Fluency in Arabic
- Research in an academic, non-profit, or private enterprise setting
- Literacy in Classical Arabic and/or other relevant languages (Persian, Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic--including Syriac, Turkic languages, Ladino, French, and/or German)
- Enthusiasm for and interest in video games and other media
- Translation
- Project management
- Visual and/or Graphic arts (illustration, AutoCAD, SolidWorks -or other comparable CAD Software proficiency- design, 3D modeling)
- Archive management (metadata, file storage, databases)
- Document digitization (scanning, OCR)
- Accessibility principles and practices
A successful applicant will be expected to:
-- Timely and efficiently manage a variety of requests with high-level accuracy and organization.
-- Conduct independent research and proactively formulate the most appropriate and efficient research approaches to the Research Directors.
-- Evaluate production assets for quality and accuracy and help to identify and raise research-related issues.
-- Contribute to the successful completion of the research projects in cooperation with the other team members and the Directors.
*This is a project-based position that runs 10-12 months, with the possibility of extending it another 4-6 months.*
Please submit your application through the form below. Feel free to send questions to research@famico.co.