Research Assistant

Job Title: Research Assistant

Grade: 14

Salary: $52,753-$63,167

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time Research Support position for Behavioral Health Services and Policy Research. We are conducting a federally funded research study in the state of Kentucky focused on improving employment outcomes for adults with autism and mental health disorders. This project aims to adapt and test the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, an evidence-based supported employment intervention in adults with autism served in 4 sites across Kentucky. This randomized controlled trial includes two phases, a qualitative phase to develop adaptations and the randomized clinical trial. The Full Time Research Assistant (RA) will support day-to-day research activities at the four Kentucky study sites. The RA will support the Principal Investigator in recruitment, data collection, and data analysis for the trial, including conducting participant interviews at 4 time points. The RA will work closely with the project investigators, site coordinators, and community partners to ensure smooth study operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with participant recruitment and enrollment, including outreach and screening under approved protocols.
• Obtain informed consent from participants following IRB-approved procedures (if delegated by PI).
• Coordinate and conduct data collection, including surveys, structured interviews, and focus groups.
• Support preparation of training and intervention materials for study staff and participants.
• Maintain accurate and organized study records and databases, ensuring data quality and confidentiality.
• Perform routine data quality checks and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with the data manager.
• Assist with participant follow-up and data tracking throughout the study period.
• Schedule participant visits and coordinate logistics with research sites.
• Communicate regularly with project staff and investigators to report progress and issues.
• Contribute to dissemination activities, such as drafting sections of reports or preparing presentation materials.
• Travel to research sites as required (approximately 3 times per year to 4 sites).
• Complete required research ethics and study-specific training and participate in team meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, public health, education, or a closely related field (must be conferred by start date).
• Resides in Kentucky and has reliable transportation to travel to study sites within the state (up to 3,426 miles per year mileage will be reimbursed).
• At least (12) months of experience in research, data collection, or program evaluation (including academic research or internships, e.g., experience conducting structured interviews, administering assessments, or collecting survey data).
• At least (3) months of use of research data management systems such as REDCap, Qualtrics, or similar, or 100 records entered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal communication, demonstrated by at least one of the following:
  • Authored or co-authored a report, abstract, or academic paper.
  • Delivered a presentation (academic or professional setting).
  • Conducted structured interviews or participant interactions in a research context.
• Master's degree in psychology, social work, public health, education, or a closely related field.
• Minimum (24) months of experience on research projects involving human subjects, including documented compliance with IRB protocols.
• Qualitative Methods: Demonstrated experience conducting at least 10 qualitative interviews or facilitating 2 or more focus groups as part of a research or evaluation project.
• Direct experience (paid or volunteer) working with or supporting at least 5 individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities.
• Familiarity with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, demonstrated by prior employment, research involvement, or training (e.g., IPS fidelity review participation or IPS training certificate).
• Self-identified lived experience of autism or mental health challenges (either personal or as a family member)-optional disclosure, not required.
• Demonstrated experience using at least one quantitative analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata) or one qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti), evidenced by:
  • Completion of at least one research project where the software was used for data analysis, OR
  • Coursework or certification involving the software, OR
  • Work sample (e.g., syntax file, output, or report) showing use of the software.
• Documented experience preparing at least one of the following:
  • A written research report (minimum 5 pages)
  • An academic poster presented at a conference or symposium
  • A community presentation delivered to an audience of 10 or more

Work Location: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032 (Remote)

To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://rfmh.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer - Disabled/Veteran, 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.