MCTFR COMN Research Assistant

Position Overview:

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire a Research Assistant (8351SM: Research Professional 1 - Social Sciences Multidiscipline) responsible for recruitment and assessment of study participants in a project examining the long-term impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization. Assessments include clinical interviews, neuropsychological and personality-related testing. Research Assistants also are responsible for reviewing data to assure quality. This role will work closely with MCTFR research participants and MCTFR co-investigators, so a successful candidate will have research experience plus outstanding communication and problem-solving skills. This role requires some onsite work at Elliott Hall, and flexible scheduling, including remote work on some evenings and weekends.

The Research Assistant is appointed by the MCTFR Director and reports to the COMN Site Coordinator and Principal Investigators.

Applications with cover letters addressing an individual's match to the qualifications will be prioritized.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Participant recruitment - 60%

• Recruit research participants and manage their progression through a research protocol.
• Contact by telephone for recruitment and encourage current and potential new research participants to engage in a research protocol, which may consist of an in-person visit, a video conference or phone interview, an online questionnaire, the collection of biospecimens (e.g., saliva, blood), and neurocognitive testing, among others.
• Schedule participants to complete the study and arrange associated logistical support (e.g., mailings, payment, parking, lodging).
• Electronically track the progress of research participants through the study protocol
• Understand the scientific goals and significance of the study and be able to explain those goals to participants in ways that are engaging and easily understood.

Recruitment procedures development - 30%

• Assist in the development of recruitment procedures, including but not limited to:
  • Strategies for searching online databases to help in locating participants.
  • Innovative and individualized strategies for hard-to-recruit participants.

Clinical assessment administration - 10%

• Administer clinical assessments, with an understanding of their scientific basis, including, but not limited to:
  • Mental health and cognitive evaluations.
  • Video conference interviews, online questionnaires, and other assessments in the research protocol.
• Score/code clinical assessments, as appropriate.

Percentages may fluctuate over time with regard to how much time is given to recruitment and assessment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and/or research experience totaling at least four (4) years.
• Required to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet participant needs, with ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule.
• Ability to communicate in a professional and engaging manner with a diverse participant pool and encourage them to participate in research.
• Excellent communication skills and must be comfortable speaking on the phone during recruitment and assessment calls.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience screening and recruiting human subjects in longitudinal or clinical trial research.
• Experience working with minoritized/underrepresented populations
• Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to human behavior, such as psychology, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or human research experience totaling at least four (4) years.
• Prior experience conducting structured clinical interviews and neuropsychological tests with research participants.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy.

About the MCTFR

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research seeks to understand how life experiences and genetic influences make people who they are. We oversee several internationally prominent studies, which focus on families with twins and families with adoptees, and use complex research designs that can disentangle how genes and experiences shape us. The Research Professional will support ongoing research with these longitudinal cohorts.

About the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is one of the largest departments within the College of Liberal Arts and is a highly ranked department nationally. Currently, the department has 50 core faculty, 70+ staff, 130 graduate students, and it supports the largest number of undergraduate majors of any academic program on the UMN Twin Cities campus. Additionally, the department has $50 million or more in active research funding at any given time (the majority from NIH), spread across 70 or more projects. In its 100 plus year history, the Department of Psychology has been marked by distinction and excellence. For additional information, please view our website: psych.umn.edu.

About the College of Liberal Arts
Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

https://cla.umn.edu/about/working-cla

The Benefits of Working at the U

Pay Range: $20.64 - $26.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Applications with cover letters addressing an individual's match to the qualifications will be prioritized.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).