Research Associate

General Summary: 

The Research Associate I will assist the Principal Investigator in managing and carrying out a qualitative research project using an equity and justice framework in collaboration with New England Native American communities, to understand the experiences, perspectives, and needs of Native Americans impacted by the opioid epidemic and address their employment and economic well-being. The incumbent will act as a liaison with individuals, groups, organizations, and tribal entities, and participate in all aspects of the Native Equity in Employment and Recovery (NEER) Project, including: community outreach and engagement; recruiting, coaching, and mentoring co-researchers with lived experience; convening and facilitating meetings, focus groups, and other gatherings; designing and carrying out a co-creation strategy to develop research procedures and protocols; working with co-researchers to collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative data; presenting findings to the community for input, feedback, and action; and producing reports and other materials for multiple audiences. The Research Associate I will participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a feasibility pilot.

Examples of Duties: 

• Lead the team in convening and communicating with local tribal organizations participating in the project.
• Collaborate with co-researchers (Native Americans in recovery or Native American recovery coaches) to create a four-year qualitative research project.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews to support and inform project design and development.
• Design qualitative research protocol using an equity and justice framework in consultation with the PI and the Project Team.
• Incorporate a co-creation approach into protocol design that engages all relevant stakeholders in the design, implementation, and interpretation of findings.
• Develop products specifically tailored to meet the employment needs of Native Americans impacted by the opioid epidemic.
• Collaborate with the Project team to create products for research audiences and for the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation.
• Assist in the design and implementation of a community of practice of Native American and First Nations researchers and faculty.
• Coordinate data collection and data management efforts including sample development, data collection, follow-up, and data cleaning in order to assure quality information.
• Conduct data analysis based on research questions and hypotheses and summarize and interpret analysis results.
• Work with the PI and researchers on coding and theme development process for qualitative data.
• Stay abreast of changes in the field related to the collaborative justice framework, opioid epidemic, employment, and implications for Native American communities.
• Attend funding agency and contractor meetings as relevant.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of experience working with Native American communities. Strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as independently in the community. Strong preference for candidates who are adept at complex interpersonal situations and ensuring the well-being of co-researchers and community members with histories of trauma and injustice.

• Demonstrated proficiency with office applications including word processing, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and database management.
• Ability and experience to work independently and supervise others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and provide empathy in difficult interpersonal situations.
• Experience working with American Indian and Alaskan Native communities; Northeast preferred. Ongoing deep relationships with the community.
• Ability to negotiate project tasks and participate with collaborators from outside the institution, including tribal governments, native non-profit community agencies, state agency personnel or collaborating researchers.
• Ability to work on several tasks simultaneously and manage time and priorities.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to collect information from diverse sources, apply professional principles in performing various analyses, and summarize the information and data in order to solve problems.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 30         

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of May 31, 2027, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons.