The UNM Center for Native American Health (CNAH) is conductingcommunity-engaged research on dementia and its associated risks andco-morbidities in collaboration with Albuquerque’s urban American Indian community.The Addressing Alzheimer’s Research and Related Dementias Disparities: TheAmerican Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (AMICA) project aims to addressdementia disparities by developing a culturally appropriate dementia evaluationtoolkit for American Indian populations. Using community-based participatory research(CBPR) approaches, we closely collaborate with community partners to enhanceexisting Indigenous assessments to better align with American Indian culturalcontext as well as neuropsychiatric properties, thus improving accuracy andaccess to dementia diagnosis.

We are seeking a Research Scientist 1 for the AMICAproject, working under the title of AMICA Community Engagement & ResearchCoordinator (CERC). This individual will reside and work in the Albuquerquearea and will play a pivotal role in CNAH’s dementia related research projectsconducted in partnership with the urban American Indian community. The idealcandidate will be highly organized with strong interpersonal communicationskills and possess a solid understanding of health services and an interest in brainhealth or dementia within Indian Country.

Under direct supervision, the successful candidatewill employ community-based participatory research concepts, practices, andprocedures to execute routine scientific research tasks. As a valued member ofthe study team, the AMICA CERC will:

• Assist in establishing and nurturing relationships with community research partners, community-based study team members, and research participants by organizing and managing the logistics of study meetings including scheduling, arranging venues or virtual platforms, sending out invitations, preparing agendas, and ensuring that all participants are informed and able to attend.
• Facilitate community engagement and recruitment efforts including working closely with community partners to establish participant recruitment strategies and schedules.
• Conduct standardized data collection activities including co-facilitating focus-group style meetings and conducting cognitive and other assessments with study participants.
• Contribute as appropriate to the analysis and interpretation of field research data including participating in multidisciplinary diagnostic consensus conferences.
• Contribute to the publication and presentation of research findings.

This role requires a commitment to cultural safety andhumility, and the ability to effectively collaborate within a multidisciplinaryteam. The AMICA CERC will actively contribute to advancing our understanding ofdementia disparities and improving healthcare outcomes for urban AmericanIndian communities.