Temporary Research Assistant, 20 Hours, Global Health Equity

The Division of Global Health Equity (DGHE) fosters the support and coordination of training, research, and service to reduce disparities in disease burden to improve treatment outcomes both at home and abroad. The Division focuses on infectious diseases as well as non-infectious diseases and other health problems that disproportionately affect populations in the developing world.

The Research Assistant will support a DGHE faculty member, Bisola Ojikutu, whose work is focused on increasing access to health care among marginalized populations. The Research Assistant will work with the Program Manager and the whole study team to assist in coordinating and managing four studies including the Comparative Effectiveness Trial study funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This research explores the impact of structural factors and social determinants of health on the prevention of infectious diseases. Much of her work has focused on racial and ethnic disparities in HIV prevention, care, and treatment. This study will determine the effectiveness of two interventions that have been culturally adapted to decrease HIV risk among African immigrant women.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will work with staff, faculty and others (e.g., community health organizations, community-based organizations, laboratories) in the creation of scholarly research on global health delivery. Responsibilities will include:

• Participant recruitment, screening, engagement, and retention throughout the course of their study enrollment

• Data monitoring and analysis, including management of REDCap

• Delivery of study interventions, which are online educational and interactive sessions

• Writing, coordination, and dissemination of academic research findings to peer-reviewed journals, funding organization updates, and other media sources

• Strategic and operational thinking around ongoing RCT (e.g., recruitment channels, operational challenges)

• Development and maintenance of community partnerships for participant recruitment

• Amendment with IRB and Clinical trials report as needs arise

• Updating PCORI reports, Clinical trials and partners reports

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MPH student or graduate [preferred] OR

• MD student or graduate with an interest in public health and health systems issues.

• Exceptional undergraduate students will also be considered.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Experience working in culturally diverse settings with populations that have been made vulnerable

• Exceptional written and spoken communication skills

• Interest in health systems and public health research

• Experience with IRB protocol development, data collection, data analysis, and research write-ups

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; must be able to work collaboratively with colleagues who are not co-located; must be able to form strong partnerships with community members and study participants with great empathy

• Strong project management skills, orientation for details, and the ability to balance many competing tasks and timelines

• Strong analytic and critical thinking skills

• Ability to receive and implement feedback

• Ability to learn quickly

• Ability to work independently

• Fluency in French is a plus