Research Professional 1 (Mctfr Comn Paths 2.0)

About the Job

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire a Research Professional (Job code: 8352P1: "Research Professional 1") responsible for recruitment and assessment of participants for MCTFR research protocols. Successful applicants will have: (1) prior recruitment, family or community engagement, or customer service experience; (2) understanding of and/or interest in learning about the scientific nature of longitudinal research and the ability to communicate its significance to participants; (3) excellent communication skills and be comfortable speaking on the phone with potential study participants; (4) ability to use electronic applications to track progress; (5) ability to keep careful electronic records of daily activities, including participant contact and progression through the study protocol; and (6) ability to work well with a larger team to achieve project objectives. Position has a uniquely flexible work schedule distributed across evenings, weekends and daytime, to best meet participant needs. Individuals filling this position have flexible work options, but are expected to spend the majority of their time in MCTFR offices within the Department of Psychology in Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN.

Responsibilities:

(60%) Participant recruitment

• Recruit research participants and manage their progression through a research protocol.

• Contact by telephone for recruitment and encourage current and potential new research participants to engage in a research protocol, which may consist of an in-person visit, a video conference or phone interview, an online questionnaire, the collection of biospecimens (e.g., saliva, blood), and neurocognitive testing, among others.

• Schedule participants to complete the study and arrange associated logistical support (e.g., mailings, payment, parking, lodging).

• Electronically track the progress of research participants through the study protocol

• Understand the scientific goals and significance of the study and be able to explain those goals to participants in ways that are engaging and easily understood.

(30%) Recruitment procedures development

• Assist in the development of recruitment procedures, including but not limited to:

• Strategies for searching online databases to help in locating participants.

• Innovative and individualized strategies for hard-to-recruit participants.

(10%) Clinical assessment administration

• Administer clinical assessments, with an understanding of their scientific basis, including, but not limited to:

• Mental health and cognitive evaluations.

• Video conference interviews, online questionnaires, and other assessments in the research protocol.

• Score/code clinical assessments, as appropriate.

The Research Professional will support ongoing research with the longitudinal cohorts within the MCTFR. This position is a 100%-time civil-service appointment, and is contingent upon the availability of funds and/or work for the position. The salary range is $42,000 - $48,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and/or research experience totaling at least four (4) years.

• Required to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet participant needs, with ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule.

• Ability to communicate in a professional and engaging manner with a diverse participant pool and encourage them to participate in research.

• Availability to work predominantly on-site at Elliott Hall, with some flexibility to work off-site to meet participant needs.

• Excellent communication skills and must be comfortable speaking on the phone during recruitment and assessment calls.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experience or interest in working with those of different backgrounds such as (but not limited to) race and ethnicity, diverse geographies (urban, rural), socioeconomic status, spiritual and/or religious perspectives, and education level.

• Prior experience screening and recruiting human subjects in longitudinal or clinical trial research.

• Knowledge of research ethics and IRB rules and policies concerning the recruitment and assessment of research subjects.

• Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to human behavior, such as psychology, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or human research experience totaling at least four (4) years.

• Prior experience conducting structured clinical interviews and neuropsychological tests with research participants.

• Coursework in psychopathology and/or familiarity with psychiatric diagnostic systems.

• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy.

About the Department

Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research seeks to understand how life experiences and genetic influences make people who they are. We oversee several internationally prominent studies, which focus on families with twins and families with adoptees, and use complex research designs that can disentangle how genes and experiences shape us. mctfr.psych.umn.edu

The Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is one of the largest departments within the College of Liberal Arts, and is a highly ranked department nationally. Currently, the department has 45 core faculty, 70+ staff, 140 graduate students, and it supports the largest number of undergraduate majors of any academic program on the UMN Twin Cities campus. Additionally, the department has $40 million or more in active research funding at any given time (the majority from NIH), spread across 70 or more projects. In its 100 plus year history, the Department of Psychology has been marked by distinction and excellence. For additional information, please go to our website: psych.umn.edu.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).