Research Professional 2

About the Job

Healthy dietary intake can play an important role in protecting against obesity and chronic disease in the U.S. Access to healthy food is particularly important for Latinx communities as an opportunity to lower some of the highest rates of chronic disease and disease risk nationwide. Understanding factors related to improving healthy nutrition and developing culturally-appropriate population-level interventions are critical to improve health. Yet, health research is often limited by lack of measurement tools that are specific, appropriate, and valid for all populations. While many factors influence the ability to improve healthy nutrition, food consumed at home accounts for half of all food expenditures among US adults, and 74% of food expenditures among SNAP participants. However, few valid home food environment assessment tools exist and none have been validated with large, Spanish-speaking or English-speaking populations with low literacy (i.e., limited understanding/use of the written form of one's native language). The purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable tool to assess the home food environment among Latinx populations, address utility with low-literacy populations and use cutting-edge app-based technology.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Data Collection Lead will have a primary role collecting data in the field as part of a team, recruiting participants and helping with data entry and quality control. They will serve as a project lead explaining the study to participants and obtaining informed consent. They will be responsible for the collection of data at home visits as part of a two-person team including data on food available in participant's homes, survey data and height and weight data as well as documenting home visits in REDCap software.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

Data collection (80%)

• Lead or participate in a team to collect data with participants in their homes during a time that is convenient for them (e.g., evenings, days, and weekends) and comply with COVID-19 precautions.

• Oversee data collection with undergraduate students at home visits.

• Explain the research study and obtain informed consent from research participants in English or Spanish, depending on the native language of the participant

Collect quantitative data from participants, including demographic and psychosocial surveys, inventories, and height and weight measurements, in English or Spanish, depending on the native language of the participant.

• Collect data from research participants about the food they have in their homes by physically assessing the home food environment

Collect qualitative data including conducting cognitive interviews with research participants to gain insight into their thought processes around completing the data collection instruments during pilot stages of the research.

• Ensure that components of the project are completed in an ethically, scientifically, rigorous and timely manner.

Participant recruitment (5%)

• Distribute flyers to community organizations.

• Attend community events to present study information for recruitment purposes.

Data entry and management (10%)

• Clean, edit and enter survey data into a REDCap electronic database and perform quality assurance to check the accuracy of the data.

Project Management (5%)

• Contribute to developing or revising data collection protocols for home visits.

• Contribute to paper and electronic survey development and design or revision.

• Contribute to developing or revising study recruitment materials.

• Assist with verification of translation of surveys and other study materials.

• Process program participant incentives through Clincard and track payments in REDCap.

Other duties

• Complete all required IRB and study specific trainings.

• Attend project team and staff meetings.

• Other duties may also be assigned given project needs and the applicant's interests and expertise.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS with at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience equal to six years.

• Fluency in oral and written English and Spanish.

• Has reliable vehicle to drive to home visits and willingness to carpool with other staff when needed.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Flexibility in scheduling (e.g., willingness to work evenings, days and weekends).

• Willingness to work on a team to complete data collection visits with research participants in their homes during a time that is convenient for them (e.g., evenings, days, and weekends).

• Organized and committed to completing tasks fully and on time, and display professional skills in inter-professional interactions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in nutrition, psychology, primary education, or related health or social science field.

• Data collection experience as part of a research study.

• Experience collecting research data in English and Spanish.

• Experience with public health research.

• Community engagement experience.

• Experience conducting interviews with research participants using research protocols

About the Department

Founded in 1909 and recognized as the first nursing program established within a university, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing continues to lead the profession into the future. With a mission to generate knowledge and educate leaders to shape the future of nursing and advance health care to improve the health and wellbeing of all, the school and its research are addressing health issues and improving health. With nearly $6 million in National Institutes of Health awards to the School of Nursing and the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing in 2019, the University of Minnesota rose to 10th in the latest ranking of NIH funding to schools of nursing.

The school is ranked among the top programs in nurse midwifery and nursing informatics, and it is internationally renowned for its efforts to improve health and health care through the use of big data. The School was one of nine nursing schools nationally awarded the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine in 2020.

The University of Minnesota has one of the largest, more comprehensive academic health centers in the nation. While robust scholarly inquiry is central to the School of Nursing's mission, it is enhanced by interprofessional collaboration with schools and colleges within the University and its health sciences schools comprised of pharmacy, medicine, public health, dentistry and veterinary medicine.

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

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).