Research Assistant
The Department of Medicine has an outstanding opportunity for an individual with a strong ability to think strategically and create efficient processes. We are seeking a Research Assistant who is adept in technology, and passionate about community-engaged, equity-focused research. The position requires a candidate who is both independent and able to collaborate effectively with research team members, and research participants.
As a Research Assistant, you will be a vital member of a multidisciplinary team led by internal medicine-obesity medicine physician and reproductive health equity researcher Dr. Michelle Ogunwole.
Dr. Ogunwole’s team is dedicated to developing and testing postpartum interventions that drive systemic changes to support healthier lifestyles for Black women with metabolically complicated pregnancies. This mission-driven team works in close partnership with Black mothers, reproductive justice organizations, and other community-based groups, focusing on implementation, policy translation, and sustainability.
Our values of Respect, Love, Excellence, Systems Innovation, and Clarity guide our mission and enhance our communication, tasks, organizational structure, and overall impact.
Project Information
Nutrition Optimization and community Upliftment: Interventions to Support Healing After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (NOURISH-GDM) Our overarching goal is to evaluate how different strategies, timing, and enhancements to medically tailored food (MTF) delivery will address structural inequities in the food environment, empower new mothers to sustain behavior change, and ultimately improve postpartum weight control to reduce obesity and prevent hypertension and diabetes—potent contributors to disparate cardiovascular mortality among Black women. With input from diverse stakeholders, including community partners and patients, we propose to develop and test the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a multi-component postpartum MTF intervention.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Participant Recruitment & Engagement (40%)
- Assist with identifying, screening, and enrolling eligible participants.
- Maintain communication with participants through reminder calls, texts, and scheduling support.
- Coordinate participant follow-up and support retention strategies such as sending birthday cards, managing gift card logs, and mailing small tokens of appreciation.
Study Implementation & Coordination (30%)
- Support day-to-day study operations and logistics under the supervision of the Senior Project Manager and Principal Investigator.
- Schedule and prepare for team and stakeholder meetings, including taking notes and following up on action items.
- Help organize in-home or alternate-site visits, including coordination with Lyft and data tracking platforms.
Data Collection & Tracking (20%)
- Assist with collecting data from participants, including surveys, interviews, and basic physical measurements (e.g., weight, blood pressure).
- Enter and track data in REDCap and other project management platforms (e.g., Monday.com).
- Support quality checks on data collection tools and help troubleshoot technology issues during visits.
Community & Team Support (10%)
- Communicate with community partners and consultants to help ensure alignment with project timelines.
- Attend meetings with research collaborators and assist in summarizing discussion points and next steps.
- Help with occasional event planning or outreach efforts, including community presentations or project updates.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in related discipline.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience with clinical or community-based research.
- Strong interpersonal skills, cultural humility, and a demonstrated interest in health equity and maternal health.
- Familiarity with REDCap, Zoom, Microsoft Office, and/or project management platforms.
Classified Title: Research Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/03/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRKY ($19,740 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Casual / On Call
Schedule: <20 hrs
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Remote
Department name: SOM DOM General Internal Medicine
Personnel area: School of Medicine