Research Assistant I

Summary of Job Duties

The Research Assistant I will be responsible for working on research projects and/or federally-funded grants under the direction of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Melissa Zielinski, within UAMS’ Health and the Legal System Research, Practice, and Policy Lab. Major responsibilities include recruitment, screening, assessment, and retention of human subjects research participants using multiple measurement modalities (structured and/or semi-structured interviews, self-report, behavioral observation, coding of administrative data); managing and aggregating data; and administrative support (e.g., organizing meetings, managing supplies).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology or a closely related field plus one (1) year of human subjects research experience relevant to HEALS Lab’s mission areas within an academic medical center and/or psychology/social science department required.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work collaboratively and sensitively with incarcerated individuals.
• Must be comfortable talking with participants about traumatic experiences, including sexual violence and abuse.
• Must be able to drive for in-state travel.

Responsibilities

• Conducts necessary activities for ongoing studies/projects within the HEALS Lab.
• Screens potential participants to determine eligibility.
• Conducts informed consent to ensure participants have accurate information related to the study.
• Conducts activities necessary for data acquisition, including assisting with scheduling, conducting participant interviews, administering self-report measures, completing retention checks, and providing reminder phone calls, texts, and letters as needed.
• Affixes recruitment and outreach strategies to achieve the targeted enrollment and retention goals for HEALS studies.
• Completes research documentation to ensure accurate and up-to-date research records and participant tracking information.
• Ensures that completed questionnaires are complete, legible & accurate in accordance with research protocols.
• Completes follow-up contact with participants to obtain missing or questionable data.
• Codes and enters study information into a database (e.g., REDCap) and establishes new databases for new projects as required.
• Transcribes qualitative interviews and prepares for upload to qualitative analysis software.
• Conducts qualitative coding.
• Demonstrates the ability to work effectively in a team environment by daily interaction with HEALS faculty and staff, research participants, and administrative support.
• Develops relationships with key project and program stakeholders.
• Attends assigned meetings.
• Maintains complete & accurate records and files pertaining to projects.
• Maintains compliance requirements.
• May contribute to dissemination efforts, including conference presentations, manuscripts, lay reports, grant applications, and grant reports.
• Prepares reports and summaries as needed.
• Prepares meeting agendas and takes meeting notes as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025. Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.