Research Assistant

Job Description:

Position Purpose The Research Assistant position is responsible for recruiting and working with participants for a research study evaluating the overlaps between HIV, hepatitis C, and drug use across New England. (RISE-NE). RISE-NE involves working with people who use drugs and people at risk for or living with HIV to understand a changing risk and resource landscape over a period of many years.

In this position, Research Assistants will conduct surveys with qualified participants at syringe services programs across Central and Western Massachusetts. This position requires the ability to travel between different community partner sites and be flexible in fast-paced settings where participants are often unhoused or at least facing many different kinds of structural vulnerability. This position also requires the ability to conduct research in English and Spanish.

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Project Director, a Project Coordinator, other Research Assistants, staff members at community agencies, and Principal Investigators of RISE-NE. Job-related activities include, but are not limited to: study visit preparation, participant screening and recruitment (including direct outreach and field-based recruitment), participant retention activities, and survey conduct. The Research Assistant will also have to manage biological samples (i.e., blood and/or urine), and may be trained in phlebotomy.

There may be future opportunities to be trained in qualitative research methods. The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team, work with key state stakeholders (e.g., local harm reduction agencies), and contribute to some of the most pressing public health problems in the region.

This position will be working in the location of Central and Western Massachusetts, and will travel to different community sites that range from Springfield to the northwest corner of Massachusetts. The position will entail having four days at community sites, and one day remote.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

This is a fixed-term position with a current end date of December 31, 2027, which may be extended based upon available funding.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 1 to 2 years of experience (e.g., public health, anthropology, sociology, social work or other related field. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Lived experience will be considered for peer-based research studies.

Coursework in research methods is preferred1+ years relevant work experience in the field of substance use (including but not limited to overdose prevention and harm reduction), HIV, public health, health services, or other relevant fields preferred

Experience with survey and database software, such as Qualtrics or REDCap, preferred

Experience in qualitative and/or ethnographic data collection methods and analysis, with evidence of strong facilitation skills preferred

Comfort and experience working with people who use drugs, people living with HIV, and/or other vulnerable populations

Community-based research experience preferred

Phlebotomy trained preferred

Job Competencies Experience and comfort working with people who use drugs and/or people living with HIVStrong software proficiency (i.e. Microsoft Office [Word, Excel, PowerPoint]), with willingness to learn and utilize new software applications as needed (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, NVivo).Proven ability to work effectively manage a caseload of participants, including setting priorities and meeting deadlines for administrative work.

Strong interest in public health, with a…