Research Professional 1

About the Job

Position Overview

The Social Team Research in Promoting Health Equity (STRIPE) and Health, Intersectionality, Essentialism, & Stigma (HIES) research labs in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychology seeks to hire a 75%-time Research Specialist (8352P1: Research Professional 1) responsible for supporting the conduct of human psychological research and providing general support to researchers in and affiliated with the labs. Position is temporary, with funding available through June 1, 2025, with possibility of renewal if available funding and based on adequate performance. The Research Specialist will work as part of a team to refine research protocols, supervise undergraduate research assistants, and help establish foundational processes for research in the lab. The Research Specialist may also contribute to scientific writing and perform statistical analyses under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and other members of the team to establish and maintain data integrity and to test various hypotheses. The STRIPE lab is running several studies related to social, cultural, and structural determinants of health and well-being and addressing health disparities among marginalized and minoritized populations. The HIES lab is researching social and psychological determinants of health and well-being among racial and sexual minoritized groups, as well as research on racial essentialism. This position is ideal for a college graduate interested in counseling psychology and/or social and health psychology research who wants to grow their career and professional development related to research. The successful applicant will join an active laboratory with a team of graduate and undergraduate researchers addressing a broad array of questions of interest to counseling psychology. You will have the opportunity to learn advanced techniques, publish scientific papers, attend conferences, and build your network with collaborators across the U.S. and internationally.

We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.

Major Job Responsibilities:

Directed Research (50%)

• Review relevant scientific literature and present periodically in meetings or in writing.
• Support ongoing, PI-led projects in the lab through study design, data collection, project planning and completion, statistical analysis, and writing and submitting research products (e.g., literature reviews, manuscript development, grant proposal reviewing/editing), with potential for independent research based on aligned interests.
• Meet regularly with supervisor to discuss progress and pitfalls.

Lab Set-up (30%)

• Establish foundational lab practices, including creating and implementing a lab manual for the standardization of training and implementation of open science practices.
• Order lab equipment and supplies; liaise with Psychology accounting staff to arrange for purchase; coordinate delivery and set-up, as needed.
• Onboard new undergraduate students and orient them to lab tasks.

Lab Operations (20%)

• Co-supervise and mentor undergraduate research assistants.
• Assist in the management of institutional review board, federal, and other regulatory compliance correspondence.
• Support lab meeting structure by leading specific trainings and didactic sessions during lab meetings on occasion.
• On occasion, provide supplementary instruction to undergraduate research assistants.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in Psychology or a related area, or a combination of education and experience equal to 4 years.
• Proficiency in common computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheets;
• Ideal candidates will have research experience working with underserved populations;
• Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated capacity for quantitative analyses, including statistical software or statistical databases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework in counseling psychology, health psychology, public health, or gender and women's studies;
• Experience in the conduct of psychological research, including data collection, analysis, and scientific writing;
• Capacity for performing structured research-related work assignments following established procedures and guidelines under supervision, such as statistical analyses using SPSS statistical software or equivalent;
• Strong organizational capacities with great attention to detail and emphasis on timeliness;
• Experience with web-based applications, including website management.

About the Department

About 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 46 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: http://www.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

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).