Research Assistant - Department of Community and Behavioral Health
University of Iowa

Position Summary:

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health is looking for a person to work 50% with the responsibilities to assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of interventions and projects. Provide support by collecting and interpreting results, supervising research staff and students, and performing operational duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Responsibilities:

Research:

Assist with the implementation and evaluation of research projects.

Assist with community engaged activities related to research studies.

Attend community meetings on behalf of research projects.

Maintain documentation of program protocols to document research projects.

Conduct activities related to health equity and health disparities research and practice projects.

Lead in the coordination of staff conducting retail environmental scans and audits as well as attendance of community events.

Carry out research protocols for projects and assist in the adaptation of protocols for community-engaged research projects.

Review literature related to the fields of health equity, implementation science, community engagement, lung cancer screening, radon testing and mitigation, tobacco environments, among other public health literature as needed.

Conduct Experiments:

Assist with adapting and field-testing of data collection methods.

Participate in conversations with researchers on implementation strategies and provide feedback and input.

Assist researchers in the adaption of evidence-based interventions in clinic and community wide settings.

Assist in the recruitment of participants and community partners for research projects.

Perform and assist in the creation/modification of procedures pertaining to research protocols for assigned research projects.

Assist in the development of research protocols and study designs.

Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of procedures and help resolve and strategize issues that may arise from study procedures.

Help create and deliver trainings related to research projects assigned.

Coordinate training logistics including locations and speakers.

Lead the dissemination of communication products, including social media campaigns, fact sheets, brochures, and toolkits.

Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications:

Assist with research data collection and data management activities.

Help coordinate the translation of reports, forms, and research materials.

Help coordinate presentations for scientific and professional meetings and conferences.

Assist in the coordination of data tracking systems and preparing reports for community and professional audiences.

Help in the creation of reports for community members and partners.

As comfortable, conduct statistical analysis of collected project data both quantitative and qualitative data sets.

Help in the development of manuals of operations for research projects.

Assist on the design of questionnaires and forms for assigned research projects.

Contribute and assist in the technical writing of scientific papers, manuscripts, and grant applications as needed.

Help coordinate administrative tasks for scientific papers and grant applications.

Present results/findings at team meetings, departmental meetings, and stakeholder meetings.

Attend conferences as a representative of The University of Iowa presenting on the research being conducted within the Community and Behavioral Health Department.

Administrative and Project Management:

Help develop, assist, and maintain vibrant partnerships with key leaders throughout Iowa communities such as at local health departments, community organizations, and healthcare facilities, who are partners in research activities.

Assist with the preparation of University of Iowa IRB submissions.

Able to multi-task, and work with diverse communities.

Be organized and detailed-oriented.

Flexible working schedule, must be able to work some late afternoons and weekends.

Proficient on Microsoft software.

Proficient on social media platforms.

Submit and create IRB applications and maintain IRB status of research projects by completing all modification and continuing review forms as requested.

Follow all guidelines and help maintain all documentation related to safety and adherence to determined University risk management and IRB guidelines.

Facilities and Equipment Management:

Assist with developing and maintaining of a core research project infrastructure by contributing to community engagement and clinics activities, communication and dissemination of research and best practices, training of public health professionals, students and community members, and evaluation of activities.

Help coordinate equipment needs of the research studies and resolve any equipment malfunctions with IT or necessary research staff as appropriate.

Help troubleshoot and resolve any issues with equipment, office space, or facility related issues that arise within the bounds of the assigned research studies.

Supervision/Staffing:

Supervise and coordinate the work of the research assistants, graduate assistants, and volunteers.

Recruit and train research assistants.

Provide training and supervision to all assigned research assistants, students, and volunteers.

Give feedback, counseling, and track progress of students, staff, and volunteers under supervision.

Participate in the hiring and managing of staff and student worker and volunteer performance.

Ensure that all supervised workers and staff are compliant with UI policies and procedures (fleet services and human resources).

Application Details:

To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to five professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

This position is eligible for a combination of on-campus and remote work. Remote work must be performed at a location within the state of Iowa and comply with the remote work program and related policies. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Benefits Highlights:

Regular salaried position. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.

Hybrid work available.

Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

For more information about Why Iowa? Click here. Why Iowa City? Click here.

Additional Information:

Classification Title: Research Assistant

Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific

Schedule: half-time 50%

Work Modality Options: On campus/some hybrid flexibility available

Pay Level: 3A

Contact Information:

Organization: College of Public Health

Contact Name: Kay Shie

Contact Email: kay-shie@uiowa.edu

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to travel in Iowa, valid US driving license and the ability to meet UI Fleet Safety Program driving standards.

Some previous experience and knowledge of behavior change interventions.

Highly Desired Qualifications:

Master's in Public Health.

Desired Qualifications:

Previous experience supervising.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Research Assistant
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Part-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus, Hybrid within Iowa

Compensation

• Pay Level: 3A

Contact Information

• Organization: College of Public Health
• Contact Name: Kay Shie
• Contact Email: kay-shie@uiowa.edu

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