POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working under moderate supervision, the Social Science Research Assistant 1 will perform research activities for assigned projects supporting studies conducted by the Sentinel Lab within the Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being. The Sentinel Lab has two complementary aims: (1) to develop and evaluate programs that prevent suicide and drug overdose deaths, and (2) to support caregivers to people who experience life-threatening behaviors (e.g., suicide and drug overdose) and illnesses (e.g., progressive, terminal illnesses associated with cognitive decline). By ensuring rigorous, well-documented data collection and study operations, this position directly advances the lab's and the Moll Institute's shared mission of improving the mental health and well-being of people at risk, their caregivers, and the people they care for. This is a 1-year term position with the possibility of renewal.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Recruit and screen potential study participants, including people at risk for suicide and/or overdose and family and other informal caregivers; facilitate the informed consent process; schedule and administer structured interviews, surveys, and standardized assessments in accordance with study protocols and under the supervision of the principal investigator. Record results and document study procedures for each data collection activity. (30%)
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Enter, code, clean, and maintain quantitative and qualitative study data in secure databases (e.g., REDCap); maintain accurate and complete records of experiments and study activities; and conduct basic descriptive analyses of samples and data under supervision. (25%)
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Prepare and maintain regulatory and Institutional Review Board (IRB) documentation, including protocol amendments, continuing reviews, consent and enrollment logs, and adverse event reports; safeguard participant confidentiality in accordance with study protocols and data security requirements. (15%)
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Conduct literature searches and summarize findings; assist in the preparation of manuscripts, posters, presentations, and grant applications by formatting references, preparing tables and figures, and proofreading. (13%)
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Coordinate day-to-day study logistics and lab operations: process participant compensation, order and maintain study supplies and equipment, prepare study materials, communicate with community partners and Moll Institute staff to schedule study activities, schedule lab meetings and prepare agendas, maintain onboarding materials, and maintain and update the lab's social media accounts and website. (13%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned. (4%)
CONTACTS
Department: Continuous contact with the principal investigator and Sentinel Lab staff to receive direction, coordinate study activities, review data quality, and discuss study progress.
University: Occasional contact with Moll Institute faculty and staff, IRB staff, research administration, and sponsored projects staff to coordinate institute activities, maintain regulatory compliance, and process study-related transactions.
External: Regular contact with study participants (people at risk for suicide and/or overdose and their caregivers, and caregivers to people with life-threatening illnesses), community partners (e.g., memory and geriatric care clinics, hospice and palliative care programs, crisis service agencies, and aging services organizations), and collaborating investigators to recruit participants, schedule and complete study visits, and exchange study information.
Students: Occasional contact with student research volunteers to coordinate shared study tasks and provide information about lab procedures.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no direct supervisory responsibility. The research assistant may assist in orienting student research volunteers to lab procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in social sciences, psychology, public health, social work, or related field and 0 to 1 year of research experience required. Experience with human subjects research, data management, or work with caregivers, older adults, or clinical populations preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
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Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to follow detailed study protocols accurately and to maintain complete, well-organized study records.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and empathically with research participants, including people at risk for suicide or overdose and caregivers coping with a loved one's life-threatening behaviors or illness.
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Ability to maintain participant confidentiality and comply with human subjects research, safety, and data security protocols, including protocols for responding to participant distress and suicide risk under supervision.
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Skill in using a personal computer and standard software (e.g., Microsoft Office); familiarity with research tools such as REDCap, SPSS, R, Stata, or NVivo preferred.
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Ability to establish priorities, manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
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Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
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Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
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Ability to meet consistent attendance.
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Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General office environment with prolonged periods of computer work; no exposure to hazardous materials. The lab's research addresses sensitive topics, including suicide, drug overdose, progressive and terminal illness, cognitive decline, caregiving stress, and grief and anticipatory loss; the research assistant will regularly encounter emotionally distressing content and will receive training, supervision, and support for managing this exposure. Occasional local travel to community-based study sites (e.g., clinics, hospice and palliative care programs, and aging services and other community partner locations) may be required, as may occasional evening or weekend hours to accommodate participant and caregiver schedules. This is a nonexempt position working a 37.5-hour week. This position follows a hybrid arrangement combining on-site work in Mather Memorial Hall with remote work, consistent with university policy and study needs.
