Research Technician

Summary of Job Duties

This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week with a standing tour of duty established in collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI). Schedule flexibility is required to accommodate participant assessments and project needs, including adjustments on short notice.

The Research Technician will be responsible for providing support on research projects and/or federally-funded grants under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI), 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).

The successful candidate will lead and/or work closely with interdisciplinary staff/faculty/and student researchers and report directly to the Laboratory Manager. Willingness to undertake regular local, in-state travel (rarely, but occasionally, overnight) is a requirement of the position. Outstanding organizational skills are essential. Exquisite attention to detail; the ability to easily build rapport with people from a wide variety of backgrounds; outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, particularly given the community aspect of the planned work; and the ability to work both autonomously and within a team are all essential for this position.

Qualifications

• High School/GED 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.
• At least one month of human subjects research experience relevant to HEALS Lab’s mission areas within an academic medical center and/or psychology/social science department.

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.
• Affords recruitment and outreach strategies by engaging in recruitment and outreach strategies.
• 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.
• Makes 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.