Posting Details

Position Information

Position Number998574 & 998577 - Two positions are available.Functional TitleResearch AssistantPosition TypeResearchPosition EclassEP - EHRA 12 mo leave earningUniversity Information

UNC Greensboro, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a higher-research activity university as classified by the Carnegie Foundation. Founded in 1891 and one of the original three UNC system institutions, UNCG is one of the most diverse universities in the state with nearly 20,000 students and over 2,700 faculty and staff members representing more than 90 nationalities. With 17 Division I athletic teams, 85 undergraduate degrees in over 100 areas of study, as well as 74 master’s and 32 doctoral programs, UNCG is consistently recognized nationally among the top universities for academic excellence and value, with noted strengths in health and wellness, visual and performing arts, nursing, education, and more. For additional information, please visit uncg.edu and follow UNCG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service regarding human development and close relationships, especially marital and family relationships, across the lifespan. Our objectives are to educate the next generation of HDFS professionals and scholars, to generate new knowledge and to foster the well-being of individuals and families in their everyday lives.

iGrow (Infant Growth and Development Study) will be an interdisciplinary, 5 year longitudinal study that follows a diverse group of 300 pregnant women from their third trimester until their children are 2 years old, funded by NIH. The purpose of the study is to test a biopsychosocial model of the early development of obesity risk that focuses on several key biological, psychological, and social factors. Key aims include understanding (1) factors that predict infant weight gain in the first 6 months of life, and (2) the ways in which this weight gain and infant’s social interactions with mothers in feeding and non-feeding contexts predict self-regulation and subsequent obesity risk at age 2.

Position Summary

Research Assistant (Years 2 – 3) The primary tasks of Research Assistants will be collecting data (e.g., conducting blood draws, collecting urine and saliva samples, weighing and measuring participants, assessing body composition via skin folds, administering observational protocols), data entry, and coding observational data. Research Associates will also assist with recruiting and scheduling participants and other project-related tasks as needed. The Research Assistants will be closely supervised by the Project Coordinator, Principal Investigator, and Co-Investigators. This job requires good interpersonal skills with individuals of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, comfort interacting with infants/young children, reliable transportation and a willingness to work a flexible schedule that includes some evenings and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

This job requires strong oral presentation skills, good interpersonal skills with individuals of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, reliable transportation and a willingness to work a flexible schedule that includes some evenings and weekends.
Required qualifications include a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, or a related field and 1 or more years of prior research experience. The anticipated salary is $31,200 and includes full benefits.

Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and CertificatesPreferred QualificationsSpecial Instructions to Applicants

One application will be considered for both applications.

Recruitment Range$31,200Org #-DepartmentHuman Development & Family Studies - 12403Job Open Date06/24/2019For Best Consideration DateJob Close DateOpen Until FilledYesFTE1.000Type of AppointmentTime LimitedIf time-limited, please specify end date for appointment.

July 31, 2021

Number of Months per Year12FLSAExemptKey Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Percentage Of Time60%Key Responsibility

Data Collection

Essential Tasks

The Research Assistant is a specialized researcher role. The data collection procedures will include: collecting data, including: conducting blood draws, collecting urine and saliva samples, weighing and measuring participants, assessing body composition via skin folds, and administering observational protocols to mothers and infants.

Key Responsibilities

Percentage Of Time20%Key Responsibility

Scoring/Coding Interview, Observational and Physiological Data

Essential Tasks

The Research Assistant will assist in scoring and coding interview and observational data using pre-defined coding systems. A high degree of inter-rater/coder reliability must be established and maintained. The Research Assistant will also assist in editing and scoring heart rate and skin conductance data. Sophisticated software programs will be used for these tasks.

Key Responsibilities

Percentage Of Time10%Key Responsibility

Assist in Recruitment/Scheduling

Essential Tasks

The Research Assistant will assist the Recruitment Coordinator, by being a secondary point of contact for the mothers enrolled in the study and will be the third person responsible for recruitment and retention efforts. This will involve visiting local recruitment sites including the Women’s Hospital, The Public Health Department Clinic, breastfeeding classes offered by the WIC program, local obstetric practices etc. The RA will deliver verbal summaries of the project to small-to-moderate size groups/classes and occasionally will call potential participants to describe the project in more detail.

Key Responsibilities

Percentage Of Time10%Key Responsibility

Data Entry and Data Management

Essential Tasks

The Research Assistant will assist in entering questionnaire data, performing accuracy checks of previously entered data, and preliminary data screening, scoring and analyses using pre-existing procedures. The RA will assist in filing and organizing physical and digital data.

ADA Checklist

ADA Checklist

R for Rare (0-30%), O for Occasional (30-60%), F for Frequent (60-90%), C for Constant (90-100%).

Physical EffortHand Movement-Repetitive Motions - O, Holding - R, Reading - R, Writing - R, Hearing - O, Talking - F, Standing - O, Sitting - F, Walking - O, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - R, Pushing/Pulling - R, Climbing-Stairs - R, Bending - R, Crawling - RWork EnvironmentDriving - Car/Truck - R, Inside - F, Outside - RApplicant DocumentsRequired Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, or a related field AND 1 or more years of prior research experience?
   • Yes- I have a bachelor's degree and 1 or more years of research experience.
   • No- I do not have a bachelor's degree
   • No- I have a bachelor's degree, but do not have 1 or more years of research experience
2. * Do you have a Master's Degree in Human Development, Psychology or a related field?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Please describe your prior research experience.

   (Open Ended Question)

4. Do you have any public speaking experience? If so, Please Describe.

   (Open Ended Question)

5. * Are you available some evenings and weekends? Please describe availability.

   (Open Ended Question)

6. * Rate yourself on your experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint.)
   • Excellent
   • Good
   • Satisfactory
   • Poor
7. * Describe your experience multi-tasking in a fast-paced work setting.

   (Open Ended Question)

8. * Using your own words, describe what professionalism means to you.

   (Open Ended Question)