Research Associate 2, HSS

Overview

Support the functions of the Community Engaged Research Resource Center (CERRC) for the Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN). The CERRC supports JCOIN by strengthening the integration of community perspectives into research that is focused on substance use and criminal legal system involvement. The CERRC provides infrastructure, guidance, and practical tools to help JCOIN investigators and others improve how they meaningfully and thoughtfully engage individuals with direct experience in justice and substance use systems across the entire research lifecycle. Thus, the CERRC supports JCOIN’s mission to generate actionable evidence for addressing substance use among justice-involved populations.

The Research Associate 2 will coordinate working groups of the CERRC in the areas of fair chance hiring, cognitive interviewing, rapid research projects, and Center evaluation; liaise with external partner organizations to carry out CERRC tasks; develop and manage IRB protocols in collaboration with investigators; support participant payment processes; conduct background research for working groups and rapid research projects; maintain CERRC folders; prepare updates for Steering Committee; assist with writing progress reports for funder; prepare toolkits and other materials related to community-engaged research for dissemination. Participate in criminal justice system intercept model working groups at the JCOIN level.

Assist with logistics of biweekly lab and staff meetings and Center wide events such as Community Advisory Board meetings, the annual meeting of the Center, educational events, and other special convenings. Assist in the preparation of the Center’s annual report. Support the growth of the Center through grant writing, building shared resources, tracking outcomes, dissemination efforts, and facilitating cohesion. Help maintain the Center website.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
2. Proven experience conducting and supporting all phases of research, including data management and analysis.
3. Strong organizational skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
4. Ability to proactively and clearly communicate and interact with a multi-disciplinary team of investigators, staff, and trainees in a variety of settings (e.g., face to face, email, phone, videoconference).
5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with electronic data collection tools.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. At least one year of experience working on community engaged health research.
2. Proven experience working with individuals who have experienced incarceration and their family members.
3. Proven experience preparing IRB protocols, amendments, and progress reports.
4. Prior experience working on large-scale research studies with multiple external partners.
5. People with own or family experience of criminal justice system involvement including incarceration and/or substance use disorder encouraged to apply.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Carries out research within the scope of the established study protocol. Adheres to all human subjects regulations as defined by Yale University and the federal government that pertain to research studies.
2. Develops criteria for admission of study subjects based on goals and objectives of project.
3. Determines potential sources of funding and prospective partnerships.
4. Evaluates feasibility of accepting potential projects through analysis of staffing needs, resource requirements, financial costs, and current planned capacity of group. Negotiates contracts and/or changes with funder.
5. Develops original HIC/IRB submissions. Based on knowledge of science and research goals, collaborates with PIs on major revisions and contributes to scientific protocols. Plans and implements changes.
6. Develops forms, questionnaires and the application of research techniques; writes procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
7. Responsible for the documentation and transmission of study data. Ensures that report forms are accurately documented and completed in a timely manner at each site location.
8. Works independently to develop manage and organize multi site studies. Serves as primary coordinator between University, non-Yale collaborators, pharmaceutical companies, HIC, IRB and funding sources.
9. Performs descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
10. Designs and implements quality control measures to ensure accurate collection and processing of data.
11. Contributes in-depth, original thought and relevance to written reports and to the writing of abstracts and manuscripts.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in a related discipline and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.