Research Assistant I

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Closing Date:
07/31/2026
Type of Position:
Researchers
Job Type:
Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No
Institution Name:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a unique combination of education, research, and clinical programs that encourages and supports teamwork and diversity. We champion being a collaborative health care organization, focused on improving patient care and the lives of Arkansans.

UAMS offers amazing benefits and perks (available for benefits eligible positions only):

• Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family
• Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only)
• Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS
• Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000
• Career Training and Educational Opportunities
• Merchant Discounts
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.


Department:
COM | PSY Health & Legal Sys Lab

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:
*This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week with a standing tour of duty established in collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI). Schedule flexibility is required to accommodate participant assessments and project needs, including adjustments on short notice.*

The Research Assistant I will be responsible for working on research projects and/or federally-funded grants under the direction of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Melissa Zielinski, within UAMS' Health and the Legal System Research, Practice, and Policy Lab. Major responsibilities include recruitment, screening, assessment, and retention of human subjects research participants using multiple measurement modalities (structured and/or semi-structured interviews, self-report, behavioral observation, coding of administrative data); managing and aggregating data; and administrative support (e.g., organizing meetings, managing supplies). The successful candidate will lead and/or work closely with interdisciplinary staff/faculty/and student researchers and report directly to the Laboratory Manager. Willingness to undertake regular local, in-state travel (rarely, but occasionally, overnight) is a requirement of the position. Outstanding organizational skills are essential. Exquisite attention to detail; the ability to easily build rapport with people from a wide variety of backgrounds; outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, particularly given the community aspect of the planned work; and the ability to work both autonomously and within a team are all essential for this position.

Prospective applicants can learn about the lab's current projects at and about members of the team at Broadly, the team's work often focuses on the intersections amongst traumatic stress, addiction, and incarceration, with a particular focus on 1) the implementation of evidence-based interventions for posttraumatic stress in legal settings and 2) women's health, including during the perinatal period. Projects generally have the mission to promote evidence-based health interventions and/or study the outcomes of programs with unknown effectiveness but potential promise. Projects also typically involve working with and/or in correctional settings such as jails and prisons, though some projects may focus on more general settings (e.g., hospitals) or other kinds of specialty care settings (e.g., addiction treatment centers, specialty courts).
Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in psychology or a closely related field plus one (1) year of human subjects research experience relevant to HEALS Lab's mission areas within an academic medical center and/or psychology/social science department required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  
• Ability to work collaboratively and sensitively with incarcerated individuals.
  
• Must be comfortable talking with participants about traumatic experiences, including sexual violence and abuse.
  
• Must be able to drive for in-state travel.
  

Responsibilities:

• Conducts necessary activities for ongoing studies/projects within the HEALS Lab.
  
• Screen potential participants to determine eligibility.
  
• Conduct informed consent to ensure participants have accurate information related to the study.
  
• Conduct activities necessary for data acquisition, including assisting with scheduling, conducting participant interviews, administering self-report measures, completing retention checks, and providing reminder phone calls, texts, and letters as needed.
  
• Assist, on an ongoing basis, in achieving the targeted enrollment and retention goals for HEALS studies by engaging in recruitment and outreach strategies. Recruitment strategies include but are not limited to going to community partners and describing studies to patients, patrons, or members, and asking potential participants to participate in studies. Retention strategies include, but are not limited to, making cold calls to participants or their designees to verify or obtain contact information for participants.
  
• Complete research documentation to ensure accurate and up-to-date research records and participant tracking information. Ensures that completed questionnaires are complete, legible & accurate in accordance with research protocols.
  
  
• Make follow-up contact with participants to obtain missing or questionable data.
  
• Codes and enters study information into a database (e.g., REDCap) and establishes new databases for new projects as required.
  
• Transcribes qualitative interviews and prepares for upload to qualitative analysis software.
  
• Conducts qualitative coding.
  
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team environment by daily interaction with HEALS faculty and staff, research participants, and administrative support.
  
• Develops relationships with key project and program stakeholders.
  
• Attends assigned meetings.
  
• Maintains complete & accurate records and files pertaining to projects.
  
  
• Maintain detailed records of research subject visits & procedures.
  
• Coordinates meetings and helps to aggregate study updates.
  
• Manages and ships research supplies.
  
• Assists with participant compensation using petty cash accounts and maintaining detailed compensation records.
  
• Assists with the development of IRB protocols and research-related procedures.
  
• Builds instructions for scoring research assessments.
  
• Design forms, worksheets, study questionnaires, and other materials for projects.
  
• Maintains compliance requirements.
  
• May contribute to dissemination efforts, including conference presentations, manuscripts, lay reports, grant applications, and grant reports.
  
• Prepares reports and summaries as needed.
  
• Prepares meeting agendas and takes meeting notes as assigned.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

Additional Information:

Salary Information:
Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:
List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:

Please contact View email address on click.appcast.io for any recruiting related questions.

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site


Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check

This position is subject to pre-employment screening (criminal background, drug testing, and/or education verification). A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant except as provided by law. Any criminal history will be evaluated in relationship to job responsibilities and business necessity. The information obtained in these reports will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.


Constant Physical Activity:
Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Talking
Frequent Physical Activity:
Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting, Standing, Talking, Walking
Occasional Physical Activity:
Driving
Benefits Eligible:
Yes