Research Assistant 2

About the role

Working under general supervision, the Research Assistant 2 will provide research support for principal investigators and other investigators for projects addressing ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic research; these include two federally funded multi-year research studies at the intersection of community engagement and digital health tools: 1) Genomics Lifecourse Literacy and Outreach for Wellness (GLOW) — a project engaging with communities to codesign an interactive patient education platform for genomic medicine — and 2) Multimedia Informed Consent for Newborn Screening Biobanking (MICI) — a study to develop and test an app-based informed consent process for parents. Other projects may involve the Bioethics Center for Health and Genomics (CHANGE).

Responsibilities

• Plan and carry out independent literature searches related to the research project, including summarizing and annotating results (6%)
• Conduct outreach to community partners and recruit community members and research participants; locate potential participants and promote research participant opportunities through appropriate venues (20%)
• Conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews or administer surveys to supply scientific information as part of a larger project; schedule interviews, follow informed consent procedures, and facilitate compensation, with the training and assistance of the research team (20%)
• Help to maintain data management protocols; maintain databases of recruitment efforts, participant demographic information, transcriptions, and proofread interview transcripts (10%)
• May assist research team in developing and testing qualitative and survey research instruments and study protocols, including IRB submissions (10%)
• Collect and analyze data; assist research team in the analysis process, including discussions of the development of qualitative codes and coding of qualitative data or quantitative data analysis, including data cleaning, descriptive statistics, and basic statistical testing (10%)
• Assist in the preparation of research reports, presentations, and manuscripts as needed (10%)
• Assist in outreach and communications activities for the Bioethics Center for Health and Genomics (10%)
• Perform other duties as needed, including assistance to members of staff and faculty, and support for the Department of Bioethics (4%)

Contacts

Department: Daily contact with the principal investigators, including weekly and monthly research team meetings and conference calls with stakeholders at partnering sites with respect to ongoing research projects.

University: Frequent contact with faculty in other departments with respect to ongoing research projects on an as-needed basis.

External: Frequent contact with stakeholders at partnering field sites; frequent contact with research subjects and potential participants with respect to ongoing research projects.

Students: Periodic contact with student research assistants.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, humanities, social work, or a related discipline required, with 1 to 3 years of research experience in the social sciences, bioethics, and/or mental health preferred OR Associate’s degree in a health-related or bioethics-related program and 2 to 4 years of research experience required.

Required Skills:

• Strong organizational skills, verbal and written communication skills, and demonstrated analytical abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an efficient and timely manner
• Computer expertise using Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel), basic data analysis using software such as SPSS or R, design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva), and communications platforms (e.g., Slack)
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and research participants face to face and via telephone and video conferencing software
• Ability to meet consistent attendance
• 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
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with qualitative and survey research methods, such as interviewing and survey administration
• Preferred familiarity with major bibliographic search engines (e.g., PubMed)
• Preferred experience with social media, web development/design, and other digital interface design skills

Pay

The starting wage rate is $19.41 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Benefits

Employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Working Conditions

This position will be based in the department of Bioethics within the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. There will be no exposure to biological/chemical hazards.