Research Associate 1 - Psychology

University of Miami•Coral Gables, FL

7d•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. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

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.
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.
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.