RESEARCH STUDY ASSISTANT

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the UW School of Medicine is the third largest clinical department  with 285 full-time faculty members, 280 clinical faculty members, and over 200 staff. Department faculty provide clinical services in 5 hospitals, 14 primary care locations, and several outpatient sites in addition to telepsychiatry consultations to more than 150 clinics in Washington and beyond. As the only academic psychiatry department serving the five state WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho), the Department’s highly competitive residency training program is largely responsible for developing the mental health workforce in the Pacific Northwest. The Department’s robust research portfolio totals $35 million in grants and contracts per year for projects ranging from clinical neurosciences to treatment development to health policy and population health. The Department is recognized as an international leader in developing, testing, and implementing Collaborative Care, an integrated care model increasingly seen as a solution for population-based mental health care. Other areas of excellence include Addictions, Autism, High Risk Youth, Neurosciences, and Trauma, and the Department is developing innovative new programs in Technology and Mental Health, Global Mental Health, Maternal and Child Mental Health, and Targeted Intervention Development.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has an outstanding opportunity for two (2) Research Study Assistants through the UW Center for Suicide Prevention and Recovery (CSPAR). CSPAR’s mission is to promote the recovery of individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behavior and the effectiveness and well-being of the clinical staff and families who care for them. CSPAR conducts rigorous and ecologically valid research, develops innovative interventions, seeks to improve policies, systems and environments of care, provides expert training and consultation, and listens to and understands the lived experience of those we serve. CSPAR seeks a deep understanding of the cultures and settings in which we work, leading to effective, meaningful interventions that are ready for implementation. This individual will assist with multiple research studies by performing a number of specific support functions.

The Research Study Assistant will primarily be supporting a new NIMH-funded R01 trial, “Using Search Engine Data for Detection and Early Intervention in Suicide Prevention” to determine if online search behavior can predict near-term suicide risk. This online case-crossover study utilizes gold-standard retrospective assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior, prospective surveys of suicide risk, and Google Takeout (GTO) data. This retrospective and prospective study aligning GTO data with carefully assessed suicidal thoughts and behaviors has the potential to identify warning signs from search and YouTube activity that predict when suicide risk is increasing and lay the groundwork for innovative pathways to suicide prevention that are also ethical, feasible, and acceptable. Other current projects include small-scale studies of psychotherapy training and implementation as well as analysis and dissemination of results from previous CSPAR research with suicidal service members, Veterans, and civilians.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conduct semi-structured interviews with suicidal individuals across the U.S. via telephone and Zoom
• Screen potential participants for eligibility according to study criteria
• Review and explain research projects with prospective subjects via telephone and Zoom
• Track and schedule participants for study activities
• Code and enter data into databases according to project protocols using REDCap, SPSS, Excel, and/or Access
• Assist in managing subject payments for participation
• Verify the accuracy of research study data
• Maintain project and data filing systems
• Maintain confidentiality of subject records
• Assist with data management tasks
• Assist with the preparation of study materials, including printing, proofreading, editing, and organizing materials for ease of use by participants and research team
• Attend regular project meetings, collect and distribute meeting minutes (if assigned)
• Other duties may include photocopying and scanning documents, library searches, summarizing relevant literature, entry of references into Zotero online bibliographical program, conducting inventory, scheduling meetings

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Two years of college-level course work in a relevant academic area AND one year of appropriate experience OR equivalent education/experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and competence communicating with diverse groups of people
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Evidence of independence, excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational ability, effective time management skills, strong problem-solving skills, and high attention to detail
• Must be willing to work weekends and evenings on occasion or as needed

DESIRED:
• Strong interest in suicide prevention research
• Experience working with people who have suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in psychology, social sciences, or related field
• Knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology
• Previous research experience

Equivalent education/experience can substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.