Research Assistant

Native American Community•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Research Assistant (RA) is a full-time, benefits-eligible position that provides essential support across CEDAR's research portfolio. This role is qualitative-heavy and mixed methods in scope and is well-suited for someone with a strong foundation in community-based participatory research, genuine commitment to Indigenous data sovereignty, and experience supporting qualitative data collection and analysis. The Research Assistant will contribute directly to active research projects — including community health, youth wellbeing, and systems-change initiatives — and will work collaboratively with the Research Manager, Research Director, and community partners. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their research career who is passionate about decolonizing research practice and working within an Indigenous-led clinic environment.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, public health, sociology, Indigenous studies, or a related field
Demonstrated experience with qualitative research methods, including interviewing, focus group facilitation, and/or qualitative data analysis
Familiarity with community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles and practices
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate across community, clinical, and academic contexts
Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous data sovereignty and culturally responsive, healing-centered research practice
Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfort learning new platforms and tools

Nice To Haves

Experience with qualitative data analysis software (Dedoose, NVivo, Atlas.ti, or similar)
Experience with survey platforms (REDCap, Qualtrics, or similar)
Experience with basic quantitative data management and/or analysis software (Stata, SPSS, SAS)
Lived experience as a member of a Tribal, urban Indian, or Indigenous community, or significant prior experience working in an Indigenous-serving organization
Knowledge of OCAP® principles, CARE principles, or other Indigenous data governance frameworks
Experience supporting IRB submissions, research compliance, or data management procedures
Familiarity with healing-centered engagement frameworks and trauma-informed practice
Experience with community advisory boards, coalition work, or participatory action research

Responsibilities

Support community-engaged data collection including focus groups, interviews, surveys, and participant observation across project sites
Assist with development of data collection instruments (interview guides, focus group protocols, survey tools) grounded in Indigenous research methodologies
Care for and manage qualitative data in Dedoose, including uploading and organizing de-identified transcripts, supporting codebook development and refinement, and monitoring inter-rater reliability processes
Participate in collaborative coding and thematic analysis, contributing to iterative, team-based interpretation of qualitative findings
Support the preparation of memos, analytic notes, and preliminary findings summaries
Assist with quantitative data entry, cleaning, and basic descriptive analysis
Support mixed methods data integration, including preparing data for triangulation and helping coordinate across data streams
Manage and maintain project tracking spreadsheets, participant databases (de-identified), and data logs in compliance with IRB protocols and CEDAR data governance policies
Support informed consenting procedures in culturally responsive and accessible ways
Assist with community outreach & engagement (phone banking, program & project recruitment, community event attendance, etc.)
Maintain respectful, trust-based relationships with community partners, research participants, and clinical staff in alignment with CEDAR's relational accountability values
Assist with participant recruitment, scheduling, and coordination across project sites within the Twin Cities metro area (some local travel may be required)
Support preparation and submission of IRB protocols, amendments, and continuing review materials
Assist with literature reviews, background research, and annotated bibliography development
Contribute to drafting and editing of research products for diverse audiences, including community reports, conference abstracts, presentations, and academic manuscripts
Attend and participate in weekly project team meetings and CEDAR all-staff meetings
Support grant-related data collection and reporting activities as needed