Research Professional 3

Position Overview

The Gunnar Laboratory for Developmental Psychobiology Research at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota is hiring a research professional to support the lab's research. We are seeking someone with knowledge of child development theory and research who has sufficient research experience to be able to conduct rigorous statistical analyses, prepare manuscripts for publication, and mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students. Successful applicants will have experience in research related to social determinants of health (e.g., neighborhood effects) and psychobiology.

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. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Data Collection and Management (25%)

• In coordination with the Principal Investigator, work with in-house data sets.
• Create data files, code data, clean data, and deal with missing values, create and label variables, and run descriptive statistics.
• Create codebooks and documents to record the variable creation process.

Data Analysis (25%)

• Utilize several in-house data sets (e.g., Share the Load Study), to hypothesize relationships between variables.
• Design and collaborate on the design of analyses according to appropriate theory to explore the hypothesized relationships.
• Prepare data files for analysis and perform quantitative analyses using software such as R, Stata, and SPSS.

Research and Dissemination (40%)

• In coordination with the Principal Investigator, write reports, papers, and policy briefs about the data analyses, instruments used, and/or key issues in the field.
• Research literature and written reviews to be included in reports, which are occasionally submitted as proposals for research conferences or for publication in journals.
• Create slide presentations and present research findings at conferences and at meetings with school districts and funders.
• Write portions of grant reports, which are often required on a yearly basis.

Student Research Assistant Supervision (10%)

• Coordinate and supervise undergraduate and graduate research assistants in the completion of project-related research tasks, including participant tracking and data coding and cleaning.
• Prepare tasks and data files for the assistants and train them to proficiently complete the various tasks.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in developmental psychology plus at least fours years of relevant experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal eight years.
• Evidence of strong scholarship in the form of publications in peer-reviewed journals and a history of conference presentations.
• Excellence in written and oral communication
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters in developmental psychology or a combination of related education and work experience to equal two years
• Prior training in epidemiology or population studies
• At least three years of research experience in a laboratory setting
• Experience with a standard stress paradigm such as the Trier Social Stress Test.
• Comfort with standard computer resources, including email, web searching, document and spreadsheet software, PDF files, and web-based calendars
• Prior experience using REDCap and Zoom software
• Ability to manage multiple tasks on a daily basis
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, including attention to detail and documentation of work
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including communication with study faculty, junior and senior research staff, and individual families and children

Department Overview

The Institute of Child Development (ICD) at the University of Minnesota has long been a premier center for scholarship, teaching, and outreach devoted to the understanding and fostering of child development. Founded in 1925, the Institute is one of the oldest departments studying children's development in the United States. From its inception, a key tenet of the department has been to "give away" child psychology. This philosophy has created an environment rich with collaborations, new ideas, and exciting interdisciplinary work. The ICD is housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and has an undergraduate program within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

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 budgeted salary range for this position is $26.44 - $38.46. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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.

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).