Research Assistant - Part Time

Position Overview

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), is seeking two research assistants to support an evaluation of Ethnic Studies courses in K12 schools in Minnesota. These positions are part-time hourly appointments with variable hours based on the data collection, analysis, and writing needs of the project, possibly including some evening or weekend work to accommodate study participants.

All Research Assistants will receive training in conducting human participant research, as well as project-specific protocol training related to recruitment and informed consent, data collection, fidelity procedures, data entry, coding and cleaning, etc. The responsibilities of Research Assistants will include collaborating on data collection with study participants (parents, youth, teachers, education leaders, and community members), data management/analysis, and writing up study findings. Data collection may take place both virtually and in-person at various locations including the CAREI office on the St. Paul campus as well as at partnering schools and/or community sites (e.g., libraries). Data collection activities may include focus groups/interviews, classroom observations, and document review.

The ideal candidates will have prior experience with Ethnic Studies, data collection and/or analysis, as well as have strong writing skills. Must have reliable transportation to travel to research sites and ability to work variable hours including during school hours, evenings, and weekends.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location, as approved by managers. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Data Management/Analysis (30%)

• Assist with data entry, cleaning, and archiving tasks
• Check focus group/interview transcriptions
• Collaborate on data coding tasks
• Create visualizations of survey data
• Other research duties as assigned

Writing (30%)

• Collaborate on using data and analysis to generate findings and answers to the evaluation questions
• Collaborate on writing up findings in reports, briefs, pamphlets, and publications

Data Collection (20%)

• Travel to sites (e.g., schools) to collect data with youth, parents, community members, and educators
• Develop rapport with study participants to ensure a positive research experience
• Administer assessments (including questionnaires and other tasks) both virtually and in-person with research participants
• Co-facilitate focus groups and interviews
• Follow protocol to organize, complete and maintain all study-related materials, ensuring data quality control
• Maintain equipment used for data collection (audio equipment, etc.)

Trainings/Meetings (20%)

• Participate in training of assigned project protocols and data collection instruments
• Attend project research meetings

Required Qualifications

• High School degree or equivalent
• Prior experience with Ethnic Studies
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities
• Proficiency with standard computer resources and software including email, Microsoft Office, database systems, PDF files, Zoom (or other video conferencing systems), and other web-based platforms such as search engines, google docs/sheets, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Self-directed and detail oriented with strong communication skills
• Prior experience with survey and data collection systems such as Qualtrics, REDCap, or similar

Department Overview

CAREI is a well-established college-wide center that serves as the link between research and practice in Minnesota schools PreK-16 and other agencies interested in applied educational and social science research. CAREI's mission is to maximize wellbeing in schools, families, and communities. Our vision is to become the premier hub for making research accessible and actionable to ensure equitable outcomes. CAREI strives to accomplish this via the center's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, which states, "We are committed to tackling injustices and embracing diversity by continuously engaging with principles of equity, antiracism, cultural responsiveness, and intersectionality. We seek to learn about, live out, and promote these principles in our work with educational programs and systems as applied researchers, evaluators, trainers, and coaches."

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The hourly rate for this position is $25.00 per hour. Final offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 25%

Position Type: Temporary

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).