Research Associate III – Department of Psychology

APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is pleasing to God and edifying to one another.

Embedded in a team of research staff and under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate III is a senior-level researcher who is responsible for planning and leading activities that require a higher level of research and evaluation skills to ensure the successful implementation of multiple contracts and grants in the lab. They can work independently in a group without too much guidance. This position is fully grant-funded and contingent on grant funding.

Required Education

• Master’s degree in social science research or a closely related field is required.
• Doctoral degree in social science research or a closely related field is preferred.

Required Experience

• Three to five years of experience working on research and evaluation-related projects.
• Three to five years of experience with substance use and mental health-related systems.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

Prepare reports/manuscript proposal preparation and submission:

• • Assists the PI with the development of grant proposals to secure funding.
  • Prepares and writes research manuscripts, including outlines, sections, and preparing other required manuscript material.
  • Write and submit required grant progress reports in various grant operating electronic systems.
  • Prepares grants and contracts using required formats at APU (Cayuse system), including routing submissions.
  • Develops and submits research-related manuscripts aligned to journal requirements.
  • Develops data dashboards, manuscripts, newsletters, and presentations for various grant projects using analyzed data from research and evaluation projects, including tables, figures, and other visual analytics.
  • Develops PowerPoint presentations using research reviews in response to evaluation of learning objectives of grants.
  • Develops scientific presentations reporting on grants and attends conferences for dissemination.

Develop and conduct surveys/interviews for research/evaluation and other data collection activities:

• • Conducts meta-analytic and systematic literature reviews for projects and organizes a framework/guideline that details specific methodological activities.
  • Prepare and train staff on survey and interview tools for data collection with data codebooks and protocols to follow. , including off-site participating clinics.
  • Prepare and train staff on attrition and follow-up protocols, including field visits, phone calls.
  • Prepare and train staff on research recruitment and outreach activities associated with grant requirements and IRB.
  • Monitor the implementation of survey and interview protocols by checking data collected to ensure completion of tasks.
  • Develop research and evaluation data safety and management protocols associated with maintaining ethical research standards, including confidentiality of research participant data and interactions.

Coordination of research and evaluation activities and information dissemination activities:

• • Engage in the coordination and management of multiple federal grants and contract projects in conjunction with the PI, other research team, and community partners.
  • Responsible for implementing research and evaluation work plans and reports.
  • Write up brief reports to summarize the data (including semi-annual and annual progress reports) via data dashboards, project newsletters, and fliers.

Screen and code interviews and other data:

• • Develop and oversee the implementation of screening protocols for various research and evaluation projects.
  • Develop and oversee the implementation of interview protocols for various research and evaluation projects.
  • Develop and manage electronic databases for screening and interview research activities.
  • Conduct higher-level data management functions to ensure alignment with research protocols, evaluation logic models, and statistical analysis protocols (identifying errors, attrition, and missing data).
  • Conduct psychometric testing of all screening and interview tools for projects using advanced statistical methodologies.
  • Design and implement qualitative data collection and analysis protocols, including data coding and thematic inference on completed research data.
  • Create datasets and codebooks for data analysis and data management.
  • Lead staff quality-control meetings and regular project meetings to ensure alignment with milestones and required reporting.

Manage data entry, creation of tracking database, other computer tasks, and coding quality control efforts:

• • Develop and implement evaluation protocols for all grants.
  • Manage project-related evaluation protocols specific to data collection and analysis aspects (e.g., downloading data from project websites, cleaning data, entering data into reporting websites in a timely manner, preparing data updates for monthly project meetings with project officers) and required reporting.
  • Design evaluation and research survey electronic tools that align with the required data collection for grants.
  • Implement data analysis protocols for data-related tasks (e.g., conducting basic descriptive statistics, T-tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square, Non-parametric analyses, correlation, transforming data, recoding, checking for missing data).

Research and Evaluation Administrative tasks:

• • Monitor multi-year deliverables and evaluation timelines.
  • Monitor multi-year work plans and budgets for multiple projects.
  • Develop and submit IRB applications and monitor implementation of all research-evaluation IRB regulatory requirements, and ensure the completion of continuing IRB application updates and close-outs.
  • Develop and oversee the implementation of research-related incentives (participant gift-cards), including ordering, logs, and documentation per IRB and federal policies.
  • Give presentations to stakeholders and relevant groups on grant projects.
  • Work collaboratively with other faculty, consultants, community liaisons, and grant officers for the various projects.
  • Lead project-related meetings, including follow-up research and evaluation tasks.
  • Prepare and submit continuing education protocols for grant-related research and evaluation activities.
  • Oversee and monitor continuing education protocols with partners and stakeholders to ensure alignment with professional bodies and standards.
  • Lead evaluation protocols at project-related trainings and webinars.
  • Oversee administrative aspects of projects in terms of deliverables and timelines.

Skills

• Communication skills verbally and in writing for assisting with communicating various aspects of the projects with the project team, staff liaisons, and other project stakeholders.
• Interpersonal skills for assisting the team with establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with project liaisons and various project stakeholders.
• Organizational skills for assisting with various aspects of grant/contract projects (meeting agendas, minutes, records of training events, reports).
• Ability to follow details and engage in follow-through on project tasks.
• Advanced-level literature review skills to assist the team in the preparation of proposals, reports, and manuscripts.
• Advanced-level skills in data collection, data entry, and data cleaning.
• Advanced-level skills in coordinating conferences for research dissemination and conference travel.
• Advanced-level skill in human subjects protocols, IRB management, and certifications in responsible conduct of research.
• Comfortable working independently, taking initiative, and working collaboratively as part of a team
• Willingness to be flexible in work hours depending on project needs and requirements.
• Overseeing the administrative aspects of the projects.
• Regular, punctual attendance as required by the supervisor based on department needs.
• Perform other duties related to the position as requested by the supervisor.
• Driver’s license and transportation for attending meetings on off campus as it pertains to the functions of the grant.

Mental Demands

• In agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.
• Ability to integrate Christian values in all aspects.
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Ability to collaborate with other faculty and staff and maintain collegial relations.
• Self-starter, ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.

Physical Demands

• Requires repetitive motion and sitting at a computer keyboard.
• Hearing and speaking on the telephone.
• Meetings may require walking and/or driving to various University locations.
• Ability to pull, push, bend, grasp, reach and lift up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to climb stairs multiple times in a work day.

Visual Demands

• Computer monitor and reading.

Environment

• Pleasant office setting, a comfortable temperature.
• Multiple conversations and transactions occurring simunltaneously

Technologies

• Skilled in Google Apps., Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel.
• Advanced in use of statistical software: Qualtrics, SPSS, SAS, JMP, Qualitative programming
• Advanced in use of development technologies: Canva, Adobe, Power-point, MS Publisher
• Advanced on use of referencing software: Endnote

Compensation

• Grade 12: $30.67 to $35.27 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about ‘what we believe’, our ‘mission statement’, and our ‘statement of faith’.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Azusa Pacific University is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.