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Requisition ID:  117580

Sr. Research Assistant

We are seeking a Sr. Research Assistant who will be research management support for a new NIH-funded research study at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHU). The study focuses on prevention of and response to gender-based violence and economic health disparities in sexual and reproductive health, such as HIV infection. The study is important because adolescents and young adults, particularly women, sexual minorities, and racial/ethnic minorities, are disproportionately impacted by economic hardship and its association with intimate partner violence and other adverse sexual health outcomes.


The Sr. Research Assistant will coordinate the successful implementation of EMERGE, led by Dr. Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson (PI), which aims to (1) implement a community-based economics and health behavioral intervention to reduce economic hardship and sexual risk behaviors in Black young adults in Baltimore, Maryland and (2) to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the efficacy of the EMERGE intervention using surveys, interviews, and focus groups.


The position includes research support activities (40%) and program implementation responsibilities (60%).


This position is funded by a limited-time grant and is expected to end on or about April 30, 2027 (~2 year duration), depending on the candidate’s start date. A continuing position may be possible pending available funding.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • The primary duty of the Sr. Research Assistant is to work closely with the study team (as described above) to coordinate, implement, and evaluate the EMERGE Program. 


Research Support (40%)

  • Enroll in and complete all required on-the-job trainings for conduct of human subjects research as required by NIH and UNC-JHU university partners, including ethics training, good clinical practice training, oral rapid testing state certification, and conflict of interest trainings.
  • Assist in study preparation activities such as editing and finalizing enrollment forms, questionnaires, operating procedures, curriculum materials, and communication flyers.
  • Participate in monthly co-investigator meetings as well as twice weekly project coordination meetings with PI, PD, and other EMERGE team members and community partners.
  • Carry-out study recruitment and enrollment activities relating to disseminating marketing flyers to potential participants, organizing study information and sign-up sessions, conducting screening and informed consent processes, registering phones to text alerts, and conducting enrollment interviews with incoming EMERGE participants.
  • Following completion of enrollment interviews, issue payments to EMERGE participants for attendance. Also assist in screening and enrolling eligible participant referrals. Tasks will additionally include scheduling interviews (including setting up meeting spaces) and sending reminders to participants about interviews.
  • Assist in confidential data entry for baseline enrollment interviews. Assist in review of participant database for quality control and reporting of basic outcome measures.
  • Assist in qualitative data transcription.
  • Coordinate follow-up survey interviews and qualitative focus group discussions with participants every six months, including scheduling, sending reminders, meeting set-up, screening (data collection), and issuing payments to participants. Assist in tracking participants who are lost-to-follow-up or who have missing assessment information.
  • Provide regular updates to ED, PI, and PD.


Program Implementation (60%)

  • Arrange weekly group educational sessions with participants in collaboration with guest speakers, mentors, and the PD and/or PI. Set-up session meeting spaces, such as arranging tables/chairs, setting up Zoom (if needed), and arranging session snacks and supplies. Send reminders to participants regarding upcoming sessions.
  • Serve as lead facilitator in weekly group education sessions with participants using the EMERGE facilitators manual and in collaboration with guest speakers, mentors, and the PD and/or PI. Track and document progression of group educational sessions. Encourage constructive discussion and participation. Provide positive encouragement and feedback to participants.
  • Help participants connect with their EMERGE mentors during educational sessions or outside of educational sessions via introductions and check-ins.
  • Help participants navigate employment and income generation options (including use of EMERGE micro-grants / financial assistance) during educational sessions or during individual meetings, using the EMERGE facilitators’ manual.
  • Help participants connect with local sexual and reproductive health clinics during educational sessions, such as providing contact information, address/telephone, discussing steps to schedule an appointment, reviewing require documents for health clinics, etc. (i.e., ID, health insurance), and/or navigating transportation. Help participants identify safer sexual practices to reduce unintended sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancy.
  • Track participant engagement in EMERGE program, such as attendance, accomplishments, collaboration, receipt of payments, receipt of mentoring, receipt of text messages, and other program outputs. Assist in one-on-one support to participants as needed for troubleshooting and follow-up.
  • Coordinate and facilitate quarterly individual booster sessions with participants (in-person, phone, or videoconferencing). Booster sessions are intended to support program retention. Each booster session will focus on developing personalized strategies, troubleshooting barriers, and providing information, resources, and advice to participants.
  • Communicate and liaise with guest speakers and mentors who will participate in educational sessions for EMERGE participants.
  • Review inventory of study supplies and update PD/PI for fulfilling orders.
  • Support program communication tasks, such as printing and posting flyers, sending event reminders, escorting and introducing guest speakers, checking in on participant mentors, and being a friendly, visible, and engaging EMERGE program representative to young adult participants, university partners, and the greater Baltimore community.
  • Support program documentation goals, such as taking pictures of key events, testing recording devices, and taking meeting notes. Also provide technical input regarding program for preparation of EMERGE reports, abstracts, publications, presentation slides, and manuscripts.
  • Support program administration responsibilities, such as obtaining required participant counts, signatures, forms, invoices, or other needs to fulfill grant requirements with NIH, UNC, and JHU. Route items accordingly. Assist as needed to help EMERGE program follow planned implementation timeline.
  • Provide regular updates to ED, PI, and PD.


Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Advanced computer skills to include MS Office applications, as well as experience with software such as Adobe Acrobat and EndNote (or other reference manager).
  • Ability to work via phone, virtual, and/or video-conferencing platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
  • Able to work autonomously and meet required deadlines, including having independent decision-making and trouble-shooting abilities.
  • Strong communication and organization skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Highly motivated individual with ability to work on multiple and competing priorities.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to quickly build relationships with diverse team members and community partners.
  • Able to travel, as needed, to one or more youth centers in Baltimore, MD. Travel costs will be reimbursed. Travel effort is expected to be 15%.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in related discipline. MPH or MS in relevant field preferred.
  • Two years of related experience.
  • Additional graduate level education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.


Preferred Qualifications
  • MPH or other Master’s Degree is required in Public Health, Economics, Communications, Sociology, or related field.
  • Experience working in an academic research setting.
  • Experience working in a setting handling sensitive topics with confidentiality concerns such as gender-based violence or HIV infection.
  • Experience working with underserved young adults.
  • Experience or training in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
  • Proficient in meeting and event coordination, reviewing budgets, creating flyers, ordering supplies, and/or other related administrative tasks.

 

 

Classified Title: Sr. Research Assistant 
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB  
Starting Salary Range: $41,300 - $72,300 Annually ($55,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: School of Nursing / On-site
Department name: Research Administration 
Personnel area: School of Nursing 

 

 

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
School of Nursing - East Baltimore Campus

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