Research Scientist - School of Public Health

We are hiring a part-time Research Scientist to join the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Houston. In this role, you will develop, implement, and maintain web-based adolescent health promotion programs and assist principal investigators with grant and manuscript writing.

About the role

This position will plan, supervise, and direct research, investigation, and other technical operations for the DHHS-funded project, Ending the HIV/HCV/STI Epidemics in Indian Country (ETHIC) II. You will provide technical expertise to facilitate the design, implementation, and analysis of procedures to upgrade, maintain, and disseminate web-based adolescent health promotion interventions for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) youth, families, and youth-serving organizations.

Responsibilities

• Determine feasibility of possible projects to ensure results will have a significant impact, including assessing staff, time, and resources.
• Develop professional service contract agreements with software developers, graphic artists, and other collaborators.
• Plan and perform quantitative and qualitative research studies to determine acceptability, usability, feasibility, impact, and reach of web-based adolescent health promotion interventions in AIAN communities.
• Identify new research problems through contact with other researchers, community partners, or literature searches.
• Plan and conduct behavioral research projects (usability/feasibility testing; pilot testing; effect and implementation evaluation studies) in AIAN communities using mixed methods and community-based participatory research approaches.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis and share findings with investigators and community partners.
• Present results in written papers for publication, at meetings, or through personal contact with faculty members and other researchers.
• Maintain study correspondence and facilitate regular study meetings with investigators and community partners to ensure a collaborative, transparent research environment.
• Ensure direct reports follow safety procedures and attend basic safety training courses.
• Provide work direction and coordination to professional service agreement personnel within the department.
• May lead projects and activities, including new grant applications to sustain and expand funding for related research activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a related research environment with verifiable publications within the field of the research project.
• Prior experience developing and maintaining web-based adolescent health promotion programs preferred.
• Experience working with Native American communities preferred.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time—totaling around 37-38 days per year).
• Vacation accrual increases with longevity.
• Longevity Pay (monthly payments after two years of service).
• Retirement/pension plan.
• Free financial and legal counseling.
• Free mental health counseling services.
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
• Employee discounts (entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.).
• Resources for child and elder care.
• Additional work/life services and benefits.

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas. This position is security-sensitive pursuant to Texas Education Code 51.215 and Texas Government Code 411.094, with routine reviews for factors such as criminal history or connections to foreign adversaries.