Research Associate 1 - Psychology

University of Miami•Coral Gables, FL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Miami Department of Psychology has an exciting opportunity for a full time Research Associate 1 to work in Coral Gables, FL. The Research Associate 1 supports research activities for the assigned division by conducting laboratory experiments on assigned research projects. Moreover, the incumbent operates with the goal of advancing his/her expertise through continued education, training, and research. The Research Associate will lead administrative and research procedures for Dr. Diondra Straiton-Webster’s laboratory in the Child Division of the Department of Psychology. Research projects focus on using implementation strategies (e.g., in-service consultation) to improve the quality of autism services delivered in community settings, with a particular emphasis on caregiver-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs). This position will be primarily in-person at the Coral Gables campus of the University of Miami. Remote work will occur on a limited basis. The Research Associate will manage implementation and effectiveness studies in the laboratory. Data sources may include surveys, qualitative interviews and/or focus groups, behavioral data regarding clinical outcomes for autistic youth and their families (e.g., child language outcomes, child imitation skills, caregiver stress), implementation outcomes (e.g., clinician fidelity, implementation cost), and a variety of other psychosocial outcomes from clinicians and families in community settings. Clinical trial oversight will include the development and submission of IRB protocols; managing participant recruitment and conducting informed consent; developing and leading data collection procedures in the field; and preparing quantitative and qualitative datasets for analysis. The Research Associate may also conduct or support clinical assessments of participants, as needed. The Research Associate will also support community-engaged research efforts in South Florida, including developing strong relationships with community partners (e.g., agency leaders, local advocacy groups, non-profit organizations), coordinating community advisory board meetings, and cultivating trusting relationships with community members.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, public health, or a closely related field.
Ability to work independently and effectively prioritize and complete research tasks.
Ability to perform multiple tasks across several projects efficiently and accurately, take initiative in meetings, and maintain organized working conditions.
Strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly with young children and people with developmental disabilities, including those with limited spoken language.
Commitment to confidentiality and research integrity.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

1-2 years of clinical research experience is preferred.
Experience working with youth with developmental disabilities and/or behavioral health conditions is preferred.
Experience with human subject research, mixed methods research, and clinical trials is preferred.
Demonstrated interest in working with people with behavioral health concerns and/or youth with developmental disabilities.
Familiarity with REDCap, Qualtrics, Nvivo/Dedoose/MAXQDA, and statistical programs (e.g., R, SPSS) is preferred.
Proficiency in statistical analysis and/or qualitative analysis is preferred.
Fluency in Spanish is highly desired.
Familiarity with dissemination and implementation science methods and theories is preferred.
Willingness and ability to conduct participant recruitment and data collection virtually and off-site.

Responsibilities

Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures.
Participates in the publication of significant results.
Maintains an overview of relevant research findings.
Ensures all research is undertaken according to good research practice.
Keeps abreast of current publications relative to methods, techniques, and developments within the area of research.
Collects, prepares, analyzes, dissects, and evaluates specimens or tissue cultures.
Operates and maintains laboratory equipment.
Performs a variety of routine assays, tests, and studies.
Performs calculations to complete research test results, collects data, and performs statistical analysis of laboratory results.
Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
Manage implementation and effectiveness studies in the laboratory.
Develops and submits IRB protocols.
Manages participant recruitment and conducts informed consent.
Develops and leads data collection procedures in the field.
Prepares quantitative and qualitative datasets for analysis.
Conduct or support clinical assessments of participants, as needed.
Support community-engaged research efforts in South Florida.
Develops strong relationships with community partners (e.g., agency leaders, local advocacy groups, non-profit organizations).
Coordinates community advisory board meetings.
Cultivates trusting relationships with community members.

Benefits

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.
The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service.
A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.
The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs.
The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019.
The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022.
With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.