Research Assistant I

Summary of Job Duties

The UAMS College of Public Health is seeking a full-time (100% FTE) Research Assistant I to work on several research projects, including grant-funded research projects focused on reducing tobacco and nicotine exposure among children and families. The Research Assistant I will assist the Principal Investigator/Project Leader on all aspects of the project, including participant recruitment, participant screening and enrollment, participant retention, data collection and cleaning, and community outreach. The Research Assistant I will report to the Principal Investigator/Project Leader. The candidate must be willing and available to travel to rural counties and have access to their own transportation.

Responsibilities

• Participate in research involving human subjects.
• Responsible for participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, visits, retention, and informed consent/assent; and the coordination and collection of qualitative (focus groups or interviews), quantitative (surveys), and potentially biospecimen/biological samples (saliva, hair) data.
• Assist with the analysis, handling, storage, and shipping of qualitative, quantitative, and biospecimen data.
• Establish and maintain accurate participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, contact, retention, and incentive records; keep track of, monitor, enter, and summarize study data in REDCap and other databases; assist with mail.
• Proactively communicate with the Principal Investigator/Project Leader on study progress; synthesize data and work with the team to write reports; assist with outreach and communication to partners; complete standard paperwork on recruitment/enrollment progress; and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with the development of professional presentations, peer-reviewed manuscripts, protocols for training and research studies, and assist with submitting, updating, and reporting IRB applications for human subjects research.
• Coordinate participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, study visits, and retention efforts.
• Enter and maintain recruitment, screening, and participant contact records.
• Obtain informed consent/assent and assist with conducting focus groups/interviews, note-taking, survey dissemination and administration, development of assessments and interventions, and collection, storage, and shipment of biological samples.
• Data collection will occur across the state, including rural areas.
• Participate in regular project meetings and trainings, provide updates on progress, and communicate regularly with the study team on recruitment and data collection progress.
• Work with the study team to problem-solve issues, develop appropriate solutions, and assist the study team when needed.
• Work with the study team to develop and implement secure systems for assuring the quality, confidentiality, and safety of the data, and work with the data manager to maintain appropriate study logs, records, and databases.
• Work with the Investigator Team to develop regular reports of study progress and preliminary data.
• Perform other duties as assigned to this position.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, health sciences, public health, or related fields plus one (1) year of research experience required. Must have a valid driver's license and a car for transportation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Willingness to learn and apply new skills.
• Commitment to excellence.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Must also be attentive to detail, problem-solve, and work collaboratively and individually to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Highly motivated; creative; critical thinking; resourceful and ability to seek out information and answers on own.
• High level of integrity; proactive; collaborative; and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
• Must be willing to screen and recruit participants.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of tobacco prevention and control is a bonus.
• Prior experience in working on surveys or focus groups/qualitative interviews preferred.
• Experience in developing PowerPoint and other scientific presentations preferred.
• Master's degree.
• Working on psychology, public health, or health-related projects.
• Experience in assisting with IRB applications and reporting and/or CLARA.
• Experience in use of statistical packages.
• Experience in use of REDCap.
• Experience in conducting or analyzing qualitative data.