Research Specialists

Full-time position (40 hours per week) located in Salt Lake City, UT. The department may hire at any of the following levels based on business need and budget.

About the Role

Research Specialists set up and conduct experiments according to established research protocols while working under the direction of scientists. They perform a variety of tasks contributing to tests and studies to support the objectives of research projects, prepare samples for analysis, and perform laboratory tasks and procedures. Specialists collect and analyze data, test, validate, and document results, and summarize research findings to help inform decisions. They assist in the preparation of research documentation, such as grants, regulatory submissions, manuscripts, reports, summaries, publications, and presentations. Specialists remain knowledgeable in research methods, techniques, and developments in their field of specialty.

This role also involves leveraging AI workflows to streamline raw data into research content, including tables, figures, and manuscripts. Collaboration on manual validation and quality assurance of all AI-supported processes and outputs is required to ensure scientific accuracy, data integrity, and reproducibility.

Responsibilities

• Set up and conduct experiments according to established research protocols under the direction of scientists.
• Perform a variety of tasks contributing to tests and studies to support research project objectives.
• Prepare samples for analysis and perform laboratory tasks and procedures.
• Collect and analyze data, and test, validate, and document results.
• Summarize research findings to help inform decisions.
• Assist in the preparation of research documentation, such as grants, regulatory submissions, manuscripts, reports, summaries, publications, and presentations.
• Remain knowledgeable in research methods, techniques, and developments in the field of specialty.
• Leverage AI workflows to streamline raw data into research content, including tables, figures, and manuscripts.
• Collaborate on manual validation and quality assurance of AI-supported processes and outputs to ensure scientific accuracy, data integrity, and reproducibility.

Requirements

The department may hire at one of the following levels:

• Research Specialist I (Entry-Level): Requires a bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) plus 2 years of directly related work experience, or a master’s degree (or equivalency).
• Research Specialist II (Developing-Level): Requires a bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) plus 4 years of directly related work experience, or a master’s degree (or equivalency) plus 2 years of directly related work experience.
• Research Specialist III (Career-Level): Requires a bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) plus 6 years of directly related work experience, or a master’s degree (or equivalency) plus 4 years of directly related work experience.

Note: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (e.g., a bachelor’s degree counts as 4 years of experience).

Preferences

• Demonstrated research experience analyzing dyadic pairs in human subjects research projects, particularly caregiver-veteran dynamics.
• Motivation to engage with and learn AI/LLM frameworks for data analysis, even with limited prior technical experience in this area.

Pay

• Research Specialist I: $27,194 to $52,706
• Research Specialist II: $29,913 to $57,976
• Research Specialist III: $36,196 to $70,151

Benefits

The University of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package. Learn more at benefits.utah.edu.

This is a benefited staff position. Eligible new hires with prior Utah Retirement Systems (URS) service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before becoming eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for more information.