MCTFR COMN Research Assistant

Position Overview:

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire a Research Assistant (8351SM: Research Professional 1 - Social Sciences Multidiscipline) responsible for recruitment and assessment of study participants in a project examining the long-term impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization. Assessments include clinical interviews, neuropsychological and personality-related testing. Research Assistants also are responsible for reviewing data to assure quality. This role will work closely with MCTFR research participants and MCTFR co-investigators, so a successful candidate will have research experience plus outstanding communication and problem-solving skills. This role requires some onsite work at Elliott Hall, and flexible scheduling, including remote work on some evenings and weekends.

The Research Assistant is appointed by the MCTFR Director and reports to the COMN Site Coordinator and Principal Investigators. The position is a 100%-time civil service appointment, which includes health, dental, vacation and sick-time benefits, and is covered by Social Security and Minnesota State Retirement System. A background check is required, and applicants must verify authorization to work in the United States. Appointment is renewable with acceptable performance and contingent on availability of funds and/or work for the position. Salary range is $44,000 - $52,000 and is commensurate with education and experience.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Interviews Research Participants (65%):
  • Conduct clinical assessments both in-person and via phone/Zoom, including structured interviews of psychopathology and related conditions, and neuropsychological testing
  • Thoroughly explain study, answer participant questions, and obtain informed consent or assent
  • Maintain required assessment documentation

• Recruits Study Participants (15%):
  • Contact and encourage current and potential new research participants to engage in a research protocol. Schedule assessments and maintain contact with participants prior to their appointments to ensure assessment completion. Reschedule participants as necessary
  • Maintain digital records of recruitment information and schedules in order to ensure timely and complete participation in the research protocol

• Study-Related Tasks (including but not limited to) (20%):
  • Process consent forms and returned DNA samples, initiate participant payments when needed
  • Assist with training new personnel on study protocol
  • With Principal Interviewer, conduct quality control review of interviews to maintain reliability across sites
  • Other study-related tasks as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant research experience totaling at least four (4) years
• Prior experience working in a research context or conducting clinical interviews
• Able to work evenings and weekends with the ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule
• Excellent verbal communication skills - must be comfortable speaking on the phone during recruitment and assessment calls

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with minoritized/underrepresented populations
• 1-2 years experience conducting structured clinical interviews and neuropsychological tests with research participants
• Familiarity with psychiatric diagnostic systems
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy

About the MCTFR

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) is a nationally-recognized team of researchers whose mission is to understand the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in the etiology and development of physical and mental health. We are housed in the Department of Psychology, in the College of Liberal Arts, at the University of Minnesota.

About the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is one of the largest departments within the College of Liberal Arts and is a highly ranked department nationally. Currently, the department has 50 core faculty, 70+ staff, 130 graduate students, and it supports the largest number of undergraduate majors of any academic program on the UMN Twin Cities campus. Additionally, the department has $50 million or more in active research funding at any given time (the majority from NIH), spread across 70 or more projects. In its 100 plus year history, the Department of Psychology has been marked by distinction and excellence. For additional information, please view our website: psych.umn.edu.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

Pay Range: Pay Range: $44,000 - $52,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume and cover letter are required for consideration. Please address all required qualifications in your cover letter.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).