Lead Research Assistant - Hybrid - 128171

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: La Jolla, CALIFORNIA
Deadline: ;

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 03/04/2024 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 03/13/2024. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.


This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite at Greenwich Drive in San Diego and remote.

Kick It California (KIC, formerly known as the California Smokers' Helpline) is part of the UCSD Moores Cancer Center. KIC conducts research as well as provides free cessation related counseling service. KIC was the first statewide telephone-counseling service for smoking cessation in the U.S. that was based on experimentally-proven protocol (established in 1992). Cessation service is now provided using telephone and internet-based protocols. The phone counseling service is provided in six languages--English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, and Vietnamese. KIC conducts high-caliber intervention research as well as population studies. KIC is funded to conduct multiple survey and evaluation projects throughout the state, including the evaluation of California's TUPE (Tobacco Use Prevention Education) program. KIC currently has grants and contract in excess of $10 million annually.

Under general supervision, work as a Lead Research Assistant for Kick It California and a liaison between Department Coordinators and student/survey workers. Take a leadership role with language-specific duties. Assist in scheduling, the delegation of duties, protocol development, monitoring and training student/survey workers in the use of survey materials and technical data collection. Set an example for student/survey workers when conducting complex interviews and telephone surveys, including unstructured interviews. Enter survey data into computer database following research protocol and maintain confidentiality. Perform refusal conversion interviewing and test new refusal conversion methods. Exercise independent judgment and decision making to ensure that surveys are properly completed and the objectives of the survey are being met. Manage individual projects that help meet department goals and deliverables. Perform miscellaneous study related duties to include typing correspondence, ordering supplies, and preparing paperwork for reimbursement. Other duties assigned as needed.

  • Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and 2 years of experience in public contact work or equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Fluency and ability to read and write in English OR English and one of the following languages: Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean or Vietnamese.

  • Experience in exercising independent judgment and decision making.

  • Experience in surveying and data collection or equivalent. Experience with interviewing assignments, including unstructured interviews or the equivalent experience working with the public.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.

  • Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings, weekends and holidays, work in the field as needed.

  • Experience in telephone interviewing or equivalent.

  • Proficiency in routine office management skills, such as typing, letter formatting, taking messages, copying, faxing, and ordering supplies.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills using grammatically correct English; excellent and appropriate interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, flexibility, resourcefulness, sound judgment, persistence and assertiveness. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with diverse groups. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, on the telephone, and in writing.

  • Demonstrated leadership, initiative, reliability and ability to work independently and with a team.

  • Attention to detail with demonstrated ability to organize materials and information alphabetically and numerically.

  • Proficiency in office organizational skills, time management skills, and filing skills.

  • Experience in the health care field.

  • Demonstrated ability to instruct or aid in the instruction of student workers in the use of survey materials and techniques of data collection.

  • Knowledge of smoking cessation and addiction, including the psychology of addictive behavior, physiological aspects of withdrawal, and behavior modification techniques that facilitate the quitting process.

  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

  • Some evenings, weekends, and university holidays required.


Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $44,015 - $61,784 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $21.08 - $29.59

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).


If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .

UC San Diego Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://www-hr.ucsd.edu/saa/nondiscr.html

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.



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