Research Assistant I

Overview

This position has been budgeted for $20.00 per hour and is non-negotiable.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

San Diego State University’s HealthLINK Center is a research center that promotes a transdisciplinary approach to health research. The Center is an initiative of SDSU, including the campus in Imperial Valley (SDSU IV), and was funded by a 5-year, $22 million grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Center’s transdisciplinary team consists of faculty from multiple colleges and disciplines at SDSU & SDSU IV, members of partner organizations, administrative and technical staff at SDSU, SDSU IV and the SDSU Research Foundation, SDSU & SDSU IV students, and volunteers. This unique, collaborative culture allows the Center to apply multiple areas of expertise toward one goal—the development of infrastructure and services to advance health research for all communities.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the direction of HealthLINK Pilot Project Leader, Dr. Teresa Girolamo, the Research Assistant will gain experience and support activities in secondary data analysis research methods, epidemiological research methods, and community-engaged autism research. The Research Assistant will support the development and implementation of secondary data analysis protocols, including cleaning, merging, and analyzing existing datasets. The position will also contribute to collaboration with external academic and community partner team members by attending meetings, and maintaining records and statistics. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude and a commitment to openness, flexibility, and integrity.

Responsibilities

Secondary Data Analysis Research Methods 90%

• Assist with cleaning, merging, and organizing datasets for analysis.
• Create and maintain documents, such as protocol documents and how-to guides for data preparation and analytic procedures
• Conduct data quality control checks
• Perform data cross-validation
• Assist with analytic procedures
• Prepare written summaries, reports, and presentations for various meetings
  
  

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 10%

• Attend project meetings and trainings as needed
• Maintain routine communication to ensure coordination and implementation of assigned activities are on target and within established deadlines
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to interact and communicate clearly and effectively in a professional manner, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to display organizational skills, meet deadlines, possess good judgment and common sense
• Excellent attention to details
• Ability to quickly learn and/or apply data science and secondary data analysis research methods and procedures
• Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and instructions thoroughly and accurately
• Ability to follow established research study protocols and procedures
• Ability to efficiently use Word, Excel, and to use or learn statistical software programs to organize study data
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of study data
• Ability to arrive to work on time, understand and follow work rules and procedures
  
  

Education & Experience

• None
  
  

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Completion of sufficient coursework to successfully perform the required duties of the position, OR
• Equivalent of one-year related experience in secondary data analysis. Strong foundational knowledge of quantitative research methods is essential.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis software such as R, SPSS, MPlus, SAS, and/or STATA.
• Experience with secondary data analysis, writing syntax/macros in statistical software, and/or autism research
• Educational background in Public Health, Psychology, Statistics, or related field.
  
  

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.