HBCD Research Assistant

About The Job

The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire one HBCD Research Assistant (8351SM: Rsch Pro 1-Soc Sci-Multidisc) responsible for executing all tasks associated with the HBCD Study protocol (Healthy Brain and Child Development: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

The HBCD Research Assistant will work closely with HBCD parent/infant/child participants assessing infant/child development and complex psychological traits. The HBCD Research Assistant will review data to assure quality, will provide the HBCD Site Coordinator with regular reports, and will transfer data to the HBCD Data Informatics Center. Work is onsite at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), Institute of Child Development, and Elliott Hall.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• Conduct assessments and interviews with children and families in person and remotely.
• Collect and ship biospecimens (blood, saliva, nails, urine, stool, other possible biospecimens) as required by the HBCD protocol.
• Collect MRI data with infants/children; act as scan second chair or baby monitor.
• Understand emergency procedures and respond to clinical alerts.

• Contact study participants; describe study goals, assessment tasks, confidentiality limitations and potential risks; schedule assessment appointments.
• Act as a visit lead by describing study procedures thoroughly; obtaining informed consent, answering participant questions, and conducting a visit de-brief.
• Maintain required recruitment and assessment documentation.
• Schedule participant assessment appointments and remind participants of their upcoming assessment appointments.

• Review study assessments post-visit to assure completeness and readiness for data entry and HBCD Informatics/Coordinating Center review.
• Participate in team meetings and teleconference calls.
• Assist with HBCD data management and other miscellaneous projects.

• BA/BS in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field, and/or an equivalent combination of research experience totaling at least 4 years.
• Ability to work on-site at the University of Minnesota and evenings/weekends as needed to accommodate a flexible work schedule with an expected 3 nights per week and 2 Saturdays per month.
• Prior experience working in a research context interacting directly with participants.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Prior research experience with infants and/or young children, interviewing research participants, conducting clinical interviews, or collecting biospecimens.
• Prior experience collecting MRI and/or EEG data.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Problem‑solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy.

The HBCD Study is recruiting people during pregnancy and following their infants through the first five years of their lives. The HBCD Study protocol tasks include: recruitment and retention; scheduling study assessments; conducting parent interview/questionnaire assessments designed to assess eligibility criteria, substance use, psychopathology, medical health, and psychosocial functioning; parent interview/questionnaire, neurocognitive, and observational assessments designed to assess infant/child development, temperament, and psychopathology;

parent interview/questionnaire and parent/infant/child biospecimens (e.g., blood, saliva, nails, urine) designed to assess medical health and environmental exposures; and collecting infant/child MRI and EEG data.

Pay Range: $23.81 – $25/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment.

Position Type: Civil‑Service & Non‑Faculty Labor Represented Staff.

Pay ranges provide a framework, but most of the time the initial pay may not…