Research Assistant III Non-Lab (Research Project and Data Assistant)

Details

Posted: 01-May-24

Location: USA - MA - Boston

Type: Full-time

Salary: Open

Categories:

Research - Laboratory/Non-Laboratory
Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 65618BR

Job Summary

We are seeking a full-time Research Project and Data Assistant to support ongoing studies of cognitive aging and dementia in South Africa. Our work aims to understand how cognitive function in older age is shaped by biological aging and lifespan social experience. We use a variety of methods to tackle issues related to reliable measurement of cognitive function across countries and cultures. The work is grounded in our ongoing NIH-funded flagship project, Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study in South Africa (HAALSA). The HAALSA study team examines the biological, social, and economic factors and public policies that interact to influence the course of major diseases and disorders among older adults in South Africa, including dementia and cognitive decline, cardiometabolic disease, and HIV. HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa, where the study team has completed three waves of survey and biomarker data collection. HAALSA has recently been renewed for the next 5-year period, which will include continuation of our community cohort study in Agincourt, as well as the launch of the first nationally representative longitudinal HAALSA survey across South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth cognitive assessment focused on the epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in HAALSA . The studies are designed to be aligned with the international Health and Retirement (HRS) sister studies, and the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), while also addressing research questions specific to aging in the South African context.
Under minimal supervision, the Research Project and Data Assistant will support HAALSA and HAALSA-HCAP research procedures and data management. The position will require high level of attention to detail in data management, and strong communication, multitasking, prioritization skills.
Candidates are asked to visit the project and HCPDS websites for more information.
https://haalsi.org/
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population-development/

Position Description

Under minimal supervision, the RA will support research procedures and data management for the overall HAALSA project with a specific focus on the HCAP. The position will require high level of attention to detail in data management, strong communication skills, and multitasking and prioritization. The RA must work independently as well as within a team.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor HAALSA-HCAP project fieldwork progress, helping to ensure benchmarks are reached and timelines adhered to
• Assist with scoring neuropsychological tests to evaluate reliability, and creating summary measures
• Organize and track processes related to translation of study surveys and tools
• Oversee licensing requests for cognitive assessment tools
• Communicate and collaborate with affiliated research personnel at other locations or institutions, including the field team in South Africa
• Prepare HAALSA- HCAP datasets and codebooks for public release
• Collate, organize, draft and/or edit material for the preparation of research papers, manuscripts, progress reports, articles or other documents for publication and/or presentation with the view to being a co-author on such papers
• Assist with logistics related to survey launches and field staff trainings
• Assist in assessment or judgment of data validity
• Provide administrative project support by way of coordinating team meetings and calls, assisting with study documentation and SOPs, helping with submission to Harvard and Wits IRBs
• Learn new research methods or new software as needs for the project arise
• Perform other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: Short-listed candidates may be required to take a data skills assessment. The position is based in Cambridge, MA with a hybrid schedule of 2-3 days a week on site (specific days and schedule will be determined with the RA's supervisor). This position starts in summer 2024 and has a 1-year term appointment from date of hire with the possibility of extension. Travel to South Africa up to two times per year for 2 weeks in durations, may be required.
The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies participates in the University's Green Office Program and is committed to creating a more sustainable, healthy workplace. Our vision is rooted in our shared responsibility to build and operate a campus that contributes to the well-being of every member of our community—and ultimately to the health of the planet. For more information, see the https://green.harvard.edu/campaign/our-plan

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
• Experience with statistical softwares such as STATA (strongly preferred), R, SAS, and/or other statistical softwares is required

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in global public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, psychology or related field strongly preferred
• Experience with data collection and management in a research setting
• Demonstrated experience with research project coordination
• International work/travel experience
• Experience in working with complex longitudinal data sets such as HRS, SHARE, and related international sister studies or experience working on NIH studies
• Prior oversight of teams and/or capacity building experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Culturally sensitive with excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate team-based work and interaction with research. participants
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Works well independently as well as cooperatively within a team while also being able to take initiative
• An interest in lifecourse, aging, or dementia research is a plus

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!
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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

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