Posting Date: May 2025
Title: Research Associate
Department: Center on Trauma and Adversity
Supervisor: Dr. Megan Holmes, Professor and Co-Director of Center on Trauma and Adversity
School: The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University
Location: 11235 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, OH
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Research Associate at the Center on Trauma and Adversity will serve as project coordinator for a federally funded study focused on developing and validating a sibling relationship quality measure in both English and Spanish. This new measure, aligned with PROMIS庐 standards, aims to transform how sibling relationship quality is assessed. The Research Associate will coordinate mixed-method data collection, IRB reporting, and data management efforts and will play a central role in ensuring rigorous and ethical implementation across study phases.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Coordinate all participant recruitment and data collection activities, including supervising research assistants who conduct semi-structured interviews and survey distribution with English- and Spanish-speaking children (ages 8鈥�17) and their caregivers, and ensuring smooth scheduling and execution of data collection procedures. (25%)
2. Manage human subjects鈥� protocols, including preparing IRB submissions, renewals, and amendments; ensuring ethical consent/assent procedures; and maintaining documentation for NIH compliance. (15%)
3. Oversee data collection and management, including both qualitative and quantitative components. This includes conducting some data collection activities, supervising research assistants, and ensuring timely transcription and organization of interview data by designated team members. (10%)
4. Oversee data cleaning and processing, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and readiness for psychometric analyses, including factor analysis and IRT calibration. (10%)
5. De-identify and prepare data sets for secure sharing, ensuring adherence to NIH and DASH repository guidelines. (10%)
6. Develop and maintain metadata, data dictionaries, and instrument documentation for DASH submission and public dissemination. (10%)
7. Contribute to manuscript development, including literature reviews, summarizing findings, and preparing submission materials. (10%)
8. Track and document incentive payments for participants in line with institutional policy. (5%)
9. Collaborate with PI and Co-Investigators during team meetings to provide progress updates and troubleshoot implementation issues. (5%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS
1. Perform other duties as assigned, including contributing to grant applications (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Frequent contact with faculty, staff, and graduate students involved in data collection and analysis.
University: Occasional contact with IRB office, Sponsored Projects Administration, and IT/Data Security teams.
External: Occasional contact with participants, transcription services, and DASH repository staff.
Students: Regular supervision of student workers and research assistants, including task assignment, oversight, and feedback.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides direct supervision to student workers and research assistants, including assigning tasks, overseeing progress, and conducting performance feedback in coordination with the PI.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in research coordination or project management in public health, psychology, social work, or a related field. Experience with mixed-method research, IRB protocols, data management, and data repository submission preferred.
Education/Licensing: Master鈥檚 degree in social work, public health, psychology, or a related behavioral or social science field required. PhD degree preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
1. Demonstrated experience with human subjects research, including participant recruitment and IRB compliance.
2. Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
3. Ability to clean, organize, and prepare datasets for analysis and repository sharing.
4. Strong organizational and project management skills.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Familiarity with NIH data-sharing policies and repository requirements (DASH preferred).
7. Ability to work collaboratively and independently, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
8. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
9. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
10. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
11. Ability to meet consistent attendance and interact in-person with colleagues and supervisors.
WORKING CONDITIONS
鈥� Work primarily conducted on campus, with potential for hybrid flexibility.
鈥� Occasional travel to local community sites or conferences may be required.
鈥� Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed to accommodate participant schedules.
For consideration, please forward CV/resume and cover letter to Megan Holmes, PhD at [email protected].
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.