Research Assistant

Department
 

BSD PSY - Keenan Lab

About the Department
 

To honor our promise to always put our patients first and to be ever mindful of each patients dignity and individuality, we must also be at the forefront of transformative discovery and innovation in psychiatric care. 

Job Summary
 

Are you passionate about reducing health disparities that disproportionately affect the Black/African-American community? If yes, we have a research assistant opportunity that may be a good fit for you! The Nutrition and Pregnancy Study is currently seeking a research assistant to support a new sub-study designed to test the association among prenatal DHA levels, pregnancy stress reactivity, and early childhood asthma and atopy among African American women and their children living in low-income, urban environments. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kate Keenan, the research assistant will help with recruitment, collecting and processing biospecimens (including pediatric blood and saliva samples, and nasal swabs), performing pediatric spirometry assessments, conducting assessments of pediatric atopic dermatitis, administering surveys, and extracting medical record data. There will also be opportunities to support other studies and to participate in data analysis and dissemination. The ability to work occasional evenings and weekends is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and screen research volunteers: screen medical records, send letters, make calls, send emails, and conduct home visits.

• Schedule and conduct research sessions with mothers and children, perform asthma and atopic physical assessments, obtain saliva samples for cortisol assays, collect and process blood samples and nasal swabs, administer computerized questionnaires, oversee safety and well-being of participants, respond appropriately in case of medical or psychiatric emergencies. 

• Enter, manage, and analyze computerized data, prepare protocols for Institutional Review Board a, conduct preliminary data analysis; manage electronic records of research volunteers. 

• Schedule and coordinate orientation sessions to explain procedures, practice tests; coordinate activities of other laboratory members, maintain office and laboratory supplies and records of expenses.

• Resolve problems with computers. 

• This job provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction.

• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.

• Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.

• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• One year relevant research experience, including experience collecting biometric data, performing diagnostic assessments of nursery school aged populations, and outreach efforts, specifically study recruitment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Knowledge of a statistical analysis package (i.e., SPSS, STATA, R).

Preferred Competencies

• Interactive Communication.

• Project Management.

• Statistical analysis.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to work autonomously.

Working Conditions

• Work independently.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.