RESEARCH SPECIALIST II

College of Arts & Science, Department of Psychological Sciences

FARR-Net

The Family and Relationships Research Network of Missouri (FARR-Net) is composed of scholars affiliated with the University of Missouri System and engaged in work that promotes Missouri families' quality of life, economic outlook, and social resources. FARR-net facilitates collaborative research across a system-wide infrastructure to aid in conducting resource-intensive family and relationships research, outreach, and interventions more effectively and efficiently. FARR-Net is currently building a research database of Missouri families across the lifespan interested in participating in relationship research. This database will help overcome one of the most challenging obstacles to conducting research in this area - access to families. It will also facilitate collaboration and synergistic work among UM researchers on data collection efforts while minimizing "over-burdening" specific family forms and life stages.

Job Description

FARR-Net is seeking a Research Specialist II to help support the recruitment efforts instrumental in making the research participant database successful. We aim to include families from throughout the state of Missouri. As such, the role will include both making connections with school districts, organizations, and extension specialists throughout Missouri, as well as traveling to events to advertise and promote the database and/or supervising research assistants to do so. The successful candidate will also receive training in the appropriate software and web-apps necessary to navigate and update the database, as well as assist UM researchers in pulling appropriate rosters of participants within the database for their study recruitment.

Primary Duties:

• Make connections with organizations across the State in which Missouri families might regularly be involved (virtually and in-person).
• Organize and attend recruitment opportunities (e.g., county & state fairs, school district events, family fests) and ensure staffing with research assistants.
• Design recruitment/advertisement materials (using Canva, etc.).
• Maintain participant database and provide lists of appropriate participants to FARR-Net primary investigators as necessary.
• Social media & website updates (e.g., promote research studies or recruitment opportunities, write public research summaries, highlight FARR-Net members' research and outreach opportunities).
• Administrative duties such as maintaining information for annual reviews, scheduling meetings, assisting FARR-Net leadership as needed.
• Supervision of undergraduate research assistants and work closely with graduate research assistants.

Anticipated start date: January, 2025

Residency requirement: The incumbent must reside in the state of Missouri.

Travel requirements: This position requires the incumbent to travel throughout the state of Missouri approximately 30% of the time. A valid driver's license and proof of insurance are required.

Generally 8AM-5PM Monday - Friday with flexible hours depending on recruitment events. Occasional weekends as needed. 40 hours per week.

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Valid drivers license required.

Successful applicant must be willing and able to communicate with parents and school and organization administrators from a wide variety of backgrounds in a professional and engaging manner. Successful applicant must also be comfortable with using common computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Canva, OneDrive/Teams/Sharepoint, and Zoom.

The ideal candidate would have previous experience with research participant recruitment, database management or familiarity with Power BI, graphic design or social media and web management, and survey development tools such as Qualtrics or RedCap would be highly beneficial.

Salary Range: $18.50-26.34 per hour

Grade: GGS-008

University Title: Research Specialist II

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.