About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Description:
Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), the candidate will serve as the Project Manager/Research Associate on multiple federally-funded research projects. The Project Manager/Research Associate works with the PI to help develop, implement, and evaluate all phases of the process of conducting the research projects, including project startup, monitoring and reporting, and closeout. This includes the development and management of protocols, regulatory materials (including multiple IRBs and federal regulatory oversight of prisoner research), standard operating procedures; the tracking of deliverables, milestones, and timelines; data management and oversight of data repository activities; the planning and reporting of analyses and progress reports; preparation of budget reports and budget forecasting; and supervision and training of research staff. Additional responsibilities will include scheduling and coordinating meetings, conducting interviews with research participants, facilitating focus groups for research purposes, obtaining access to administrative data, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, administering surveys, co-authorship of reports and manuscripts, submitting manuscripts, and other research-related tasks. The candidate will be expected to work with a high level of independence, prioritize all aspects of research activities with minimal supervision, and self-initiate suggestions and approaches to research efforts.
Requirements:
- At least five (5) years of experience with research project coordination and management of research teams.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally, and in writing, with participants, staff, and supervisors.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with team members and contacts who are internal and external to the university.
- Organizational skills to maintain records and coordinate other tasks as required.
- Skill in speaking and writing to persons of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
- Experience with conducting research with people with opioid or other substance use disorders and people involved with the carceral-legal system.
- Ability to think logically.
- Five (5) years of experience in data collection, including expertise in re-contact methods and interviewing.
- Five (5) years of experience with coordinating and assisting with data collection via focus groups and 1:1 in-depth interviews.
- Demonstrated knowledge of personal computers and relevant software programs (e.g., data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, qualitative and quantitative data analysis software) such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, Dedoose, RedCap, SAS, STATA.
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree. Masters degree strongly preferred.
- Organizational skills to plan and schedule meetings and presentations.
- Ability to travel (able to fly, rent and drive a car, stay overnight when needed).
- Driver’s license and car for field interviews.
- Can pass criminal history background check to enter jails and prisons.
- Possesses CITI certification for the conduct of research with Human Subjects, particularly prisoner populations.
Application Instructions
Along with your application, please submit a cover letter, copy of your resume, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references, at least one being a past or present supervisor.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.