Career Center

Position Overview

Dr. Glenn I. Roisman of the Institute of Child Development and Dr. Bob Krueger of the Department of Psychology, Principal Investigators on two coordinated five-year NIH-funded grants to follow-up the large Sibling Interaction and Behavior Study (SIBS) and the Minnesota Twin Registry (MTR) cohorts into mid and late life, seek to hire several Research Assistants (8352R2: Researcher 2) responsible for carrying out field studies by interviewing study adult participants remotely via Zoom/phone (additional assessments will be conducted in person for the SIBS cohort). Structured research assessments conducted remotely by the Research Assistants with adoptees and their parents (SIBS) and older twins (MTR) will include: a 1.5 hour-long interview with the twin participants about their childhood experiences, questionnaire and interview assessments of participants’ physical health, personality, and social experiences, and standardized measures of cognitive health. The Research Assistants will review data to assure quality and prepare data for analysis and publication. They will work closely with the MTR and SIBS research participants, the MTR/SIBS co-investigators, and the MTR project coordinator who schedules visits, so a bachelor degree and research experience, knowledge, and skills plus outstanding communication and problem-solving skills are preferred.

The Principal Investigators of the MTR (Professors Roisman and Krueger) and the project coordinator will direct the work of the Research Assistants. Each position is 100%-time, 12 month civil-service position with possibility of reappointment annually until assessment specific aims are completed. Current NIA support for the current research runs for five years total for both the SIBS and MTR samples. Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. Target start date for this position is February 2023. Funding is contingent upon successful completion of duties and availability of funds.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.  All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures. 

Job Responsibilities

Data Collection: Research Participant Interviewing (70%)

• Conduct formal 4.5-hour (on average) research assessments with participants remotely via Zoom/phone, including an 1.5 hour-long interview to collect data with the study participants about their childhood experiences, questionnaire assessments of participants’ physical health, personality, and social experiences, and administer standardized measures of cognitive health, plus other psychological assessment instruments.
• Prepare and run samples on various instruments and clean equipment.
• Replenish supplies as needed.

Research Participant Representative (10%)

• Greet study participants and then describe study goals, assessment tasks, confidentiality limitations and potential risks.
• Obtain informed consent from participants.
• Accurately answer participant questions and conducts a debriefing at the end of the visit.
• Maintain required assessment documentation.

Participant Recruiting (10%)

• Schedule, update, and cancel appointments with participating twins in the research study using independent judgement.
• Directly correspond with participants by sending questionnaires by email and regular mail as necessary, including sending attachments with information regarding appointment and directions.

Quality Control Review Participation (10%)

• Meet in person with Principal Investigators, Co-Investigator, and Project Coordinator to evaluate interview validity and reliability and implement feedback as required by MTR quality standards.
• Ensure that components of the project are completed in an ethically, scientifically, rigorous and timely manner.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS  and at least 1 year of related experience; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal five years.
• Experience working in a laboratory setting involving such work as participant recruitment, telephone screening, obtaining informed consent, or similar
• Must be able to work on some evenings and weekends with ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule.
• Must be available in person for meetings and training at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Both studies focus on research outcomes relative to racially diverse individuals and the twin study will require robust recruitment of older Black twin pairs. Therefore, demonstrated cultural competence including working with diverse and underrepresented individuals as well as professional engagement with older adults and/or the Black community is preferred.
• BA/BS in psychology or child psychology
• Prior research experience conducting structured clinical interviews and/or neuropsychological tests. Note that extensive training will be provided in all assessments, even if applicants have prior experience.
• Availability over the next two years.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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