Social Science Research Assistant 1 (1 year term)

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $17.65 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, provide research support for the principal investigators by performing research work in medical and related technical areas. This full-time Social Sciences Research Assistant position will be shared equally between two faculty members in the Department of Psychological Sciences Communication Sciences Program.

The Social Sciences Research Assistant 1 will perform research activities for assigned projects supporting research studies in two labs focused on 1) aural rehabilitation in individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and 2) the role of executive function, emotional processes, and temperament in childhood stuttering. Responsibilities include recruiting and scheduling participants, supporting protocol development, coordinating data collection and management for studies on childhood stuttering and pediatric and adult aural rehabilitation, directing the work of student research assistants, and assisting with participant engagement and overall research coordination across both laboratories. This is a one-year term position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recruit participants, schedule study visits, maintain regular contact, and coordinate data collection appointments. Build rapport with adult participants, children, and families through ongoing communication (e.g., calls, emails, texts, reminders), and maintain positive relationships to support recruitment, retention, and continued study engagement. (25%)
• Collect data and/or clean and prepare data for analysis. Coordinate and support research data collection across laboratory, community, and clinical settings. Assist with administration of questionnaires, behavioral tasks, speech and hearing measures, and audiovisual recordings; ensure study materials and equipment are prepared and functioning properly for each session. (25%)
• Maintain research records. Following research protocols, record outcomes of all screening and data collection activities. (20%)
• Perform research activities for assigned projects including literature reviews and report preparation. Manage day-to-day research tasks across both laboratories. Oversee shared lab communications, organize study documents and outreach materials, assist with dissemination activities, and help direct the work of student research assistants involved in ongoing projects. (20%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Organize and schedule lab meetings as needed. Maintain a clean and organized physical lab environment. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisors to discuss research, lab activities, and maintain workflow. Moderate contact with department staff for student hiring, ordering, student building access, etc.

University: Limited or no contact with other departments to share information. Occasional contact with the Institutional Review Board staff and other support areas on campus (e.g., ThinkBox, RedCAP, etc.).

External: Moderate contact with community to recruit research subjects. Moderate contact with external collaborators. Occasional contact with vendors for ordering and troubleshooting equipment challenges.

Students: Continuous contact with undergraduate and graduate student research assistants to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. Position includes supervision of undergraduate and graduate student research assistants; may train new and/or direct the work of students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in social science or related field and 0 to 1 year of experience required. Experience with participant recruitment for research studies, data entry, and data management preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Highly organized with strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Suite (word, access, excel), email and internet applications/systems, and some course work- or job-related experience with statistical, survey and related software.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment with team members, students, and a range of individuals.
• Ability to interact with children and adults effectively and successfully.
• Ability to work under general supervision and seek out effective solutions for project related issues.
• 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.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to learn new software (e.g., RedCap, Qualtrics, MATLAB, SALT, NOAH Suite, Tobii), equipment (e.g., Audiometer, Immittance Bridge, Binaural Hearing Aid Verification System, Tobii Eye tracker) and computer skills. Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Mature judgement, reliability, and responsibility.
• Moderate computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Canva, and Google software.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical office environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type. This position may require occasional work in the evenings and on weekends within the regular work week.

This is a Term position. They are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental benefits eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick time. Term employees are not eligible for life insurance, retirement, long term disability, short term disability, tuition assistance, layoff status, or severance pay. Staff in term positions are also subject to the performance management review process and positive corrective action when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.

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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.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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