Research Technologist II

MSU Careers Details • Flint, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pediatric Public Health Initiative at Michigan State University is hiring a half-time Research Technologist 2 to support intervention delivery and data collection for a randomized controlled trial evaluating PlayReadVIP, a relationship-based, individualized parent-child intervention delivered to families in pediatric primary care. The position delivers a curriculum supporting parent-child interactions through pretend play, shared reading, and daily routines to enhance child development and school readiness.

The Research Technologist will recruit and consent study participants; deliver a brief standardized parenting intervention to parents of infants and young children from newborn to age 3 in a clinical setting; enter and manage data in an electronic database; and schedule, track, and maintain participant appointments and research records. The role may also involve developmental assessments with children ages 9 months to 3 years and data collection through telephone and in-person interviews and questionnaires. The employee will work with a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, pediatricians, and other child development professionals and is expected to perform duties courteously and with a customer-focused approach.

This is a half-time position of 20 hours per week, within regular business hours, and is in person in Flint, Michigan. The position is end-dated for 12 months and funded for one year from the date of hire, with possible extension contingent on funding renewal. The work is primarily in a clinical setting, and the employee must meet hospital worksite requirements. On-site parking is not provided; employees must arrange their own parking, which may require payment. The anticipated start date is November 2026.

Requirements

• Knowledge normally acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Pediatric Public Health or another related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience performing basic research techniques specific to the area of research employment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience or familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, database and/or desktop publishing software, presentation software, and the use and calibration of related equipment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and take direction.
• Strong data and communication skills.
• Organized, efficient, responsive to feedback, professional, and trustworthy.
• Must meet requirements for hospital worksite conditions.
• Submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and names and contact information for three professional references.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with infants and toddlers.
• Experience working with underserved families from economically diverse populations.
• Experience collecting, entering, and managing research study data.
• Experience entering data into REDCap or another electronic database system.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience collecting data and administering assessments for research studies.
• Ability to work independently in an organized and efficient manner in professional settings.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral and written skills, with the ability to write and conduct daily communication.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the standardized parenting intervention to parents of infants and young children, including tips about reading, playing, and interacting with children, videotaping parents and children playing together, and providing general positive reinforcement about the video as a PlayReadVIP program coach.
• Coordinate, track, and schedule program visits with study participants.
• Recruit and consent participants into a research study.
• Perform data entry procedures.
• Participate in ongoing study and program implementation training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Potentially administer developmental assessments to study children ages 9 months to 3 years and collect data through telephone and in-person interviews and questionnaires.
• Maintain participant appointments and research records in a randomized controlled trial.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time