Research Assistant I

University of Arkansas System • Little Rock, AR

1d

About The Position

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health is seeking a full-time (100% FTE) Research Assistant I to support several research projects, including grant-funded work focused on reducing tobacco and nicotine exposure among children and families. The position assists the Principal Investigator/Project Leader with all aspects of research, including participant recruitment, screening and enrollment, retention, data collection and cleaning, and community outreach. The Research Assistant I reports to the Principal Investigator/Project Leader.

The role involves human-subjects research and coordination of qualitative and quantitative data collection, with possible collection of biospecimens such as saliva and hair. Data collection will take place throughout Arkansas, including rural areas. The candidate must be willing and available to travel to rural counties and have access to their own transportation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, health sciences, public health, or a related field, plus one year of research experience.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car for transportation.
• Willingness to travel to rural counties and to screen and recruit participants.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to learn and apply new skills, work independently and as part of a team, and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, problem-solving skills, integrity, initiative, and resourcefulness.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of tobacco prevention and control.
• Prior experience with surveys, focus groups, or qualitative interviews.
• Experience developing PowerPoint presentations and other scientific presentations.
• Master’s degree.
• Experience working on psychology, public health, or health-related projects.
• Experience assisting with IRB applications and reporting and/or CLARA.
• Experience using statistical packages.
• Experience using REDCap.
• Experience conducting or analyzing qualitative data.

Responsibilities

• Participate in research involving human subjects.
• Recruit, screen, schedule, enroll, and retain participants; conduct visits and obtain informed consent or assent.
• Coordinate and collect qualitative data through focus groups or interviews, quantitative data through surveys, and potentially biospecimen or biological samples such as saliva and hair.
• Assist with analysis, handling, storage, and shipping of qualitative, quantitative, and biospecimen data.
• Maintain accurate participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, contact, retention, and incentive records.
• Monitor, enter, and summarize study data in REDCap and other databases; assist with mail.
• Communicate study progress to the Principal Investigator/Project Leader, synthesize data, and work with the team to prepare reports.
• Assist with outreach and communication to partners and complete standard paperwork on recruitment and enrollment progress.
• Assist in developing professional presentations, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and protocols for training and research studies.
• Assist with submitting, updating, and reporting IRB applications for human-subjects research.
• Conduct note-taking, survey dissemination and administration, and assist with developing assessments and interventions.
• Participate in project meetings and trainings, provide progress updates, and communicate with the study team about recruitment and data collection.
• Collaborate with the study team to troubleshoot issues and develop solutions.
• Help develop and implement secure systems that protect data quality, confidentiality, and safety; work with the data manager to maintain study logs, records, and databases.
• Work with the Investigator Team to prepare regular study progress and preliminary data reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans for qualifying staff and family.
• Holiday, vacation, and sick leave.
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only).
• Retirement contribution with up to 10% matching from UAMS.
• Basic life insurance up to $50,000.
• Career training and educational opportunities.
• Merchant discounts.
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using the UAMS pharmacy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level