Research Associate, Research Scientist

Overview

The Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences is an independent research institute within OHSU dedicated to health and safety in the workplace. The Institute receives base funding from the Oregon Workers' Compensation Fund and leverages this base funding to secure federal government grants in basic, clinical, and applied research. We perform biomedical/occupational research and innovation for a healthy workforce, aimed at promoting health and reducing disease and disability among workers across the nation, particularly in Oregon.

Functions/Duties of Position:
The research associate will coordinate and manage several grant-funded projects under the direction of Dr. David Hurtado (PI). The primary projects are the NIOSH-funded Work-Life Check-ins project and the Safety Integration Stakeholders (SAINTS) R01 project. The goal of the Work-Life Check-ins project is to train clinic leaders on how to implement regular quarterly one-on-one check-ins with their employees to discuss addressing work-life stressors and concerns, ultimately reducing burnout.

The goal of the SAINTS project is to implement and evaluate a workplace intervention aimed at improving safety outcomes in rural hospitals.

This research involves a range of experimental designs and analysis methods. Project designs include cluster randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies using administrative and survey data, and smaller pre/post-pilot studies. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods are planned to address various specific aims. The research associates will be strongly supported in their professional development, including guidance on career trajectory and grant/scientific writing.

Good interpersonal skills are a must to work with research participants and within the collegial atmosphere of the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences.

Primary duties will vary based on current project needs, but the primary focus will be on data collection, data management and analysis, grant writing, preparation of published manuscripts and intervention development. Additionally, the candidate may work directly with research sites as part of intervention activities.

• Conduct data management and analyses to address research hypotheses.
• Prepare written reports, documents, correspondence, and peer-reviewed publications, as well as conduct literature searches and summarize findings.
• Perform research services (i.e., completion of surveys, statistical work, and quality presentations to/for companies).
• Assist with research project coordination for multi-year research projects and assist in planning design, procedures, and executing research studies (including recruiting of organizations to participate in scientific projects).
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master's Degree in relevant field AND 3 years of relevant experience;
  OR
• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field AND 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in data collection, management, and processing, including computing descriptive statistics and making charts and graphs.
• Experience with survey construction and general health or safety interventions.
• Experience in human-subjects research, including IRB protocols and recruitment and management of study participants.
• Ability to be self-motivated and achieve deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a small group setting.
• Ability to interact in a positive and productive manner with a diverse lab community.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to evolving project needs.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and problem-solve to implement effective solutions.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.

• Ph.D. in relevant field.
• Experience in occupational safety and health, healthcare or with high-risk industries (transportation, construction, agriculture).
• Experience and expertise in workplace or public health interventions (safety, health, or well-being).
• Advanced knowledge of statistical analysis packages, such as R, SAS, and Stata.
• Advanced knowledge of survey design, quality…