We seek to fill one fulltime Research Specialist III position to conduct study activities on two federally-funded studies in the area of HIV prvention and treatment. The first study is to collect longitudinal survey and biological data to inform communication about PrEP messaging to persons at high risk for HIV in the US. The second study is a mobile health intervention study to assess the impact of a positive affect intervention on treatment outcomes among

persons with HIV.  Both studies are within the Improving Health Outcomes Through Technology (iHOTT) lab in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University under the direction of Dr. Keith Horvath.

This position will help to oversee the daily operations of activities in both studies, which includes engagement with study participants, administering participant payments, coordinating communication between the study team and technology development partners, assisting the Principal Investigators in creating reports and with scientific outputs, and other duties as assigned.

The Research Specialist III is responsible for but not limited to:

Day-to-day oversight of the project

• Regularly communicating with the PIs and study staff about study progress
• Attending weekly study team study calls
• Conducting participant study visits
• Communicating with participants regarding study activities
• Regularly communicating with the PIs and study staff about study progress
• Creating intervention content
• Communicating with the technology partner during intervention development
• Tracking and managing study site activities and timelines
• Developing weekly intervention engagement reports
• Other study activities as needed

Compliance and reporting

• Assisting with grant progress reports
• Assisting the PIs in the creation and maintenance of study protocols

Administrative

• Managing study-related payments and invoices

Experience/Education

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university
• Three years of experience in technical research or statistical work experience

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers and study participants
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the project environment.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display organization, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, possess good judgment and common sense
• Knowledge of health research and research methods
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cultural sensitivity to persons impacted by HIV and substance use
• Knowledge of applicable program policies, regulations, and procedures in order to provide for the continuity of operations within the program/project
• Knowledge of computers, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, e-mail, and internet
• Ability to coordinate work projects, determine priorities, set deadlines and organize project staff
• Ability to complete all necessary human subjects and project-related trainings
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments with or without detailed instructions
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Science, Public Health or related area
• Knowledge of grant proposal, summary reports and progress reports
• Proficiency with online survey (e.g, Qualtrics) and participant management (e.g., RedCap) tools
• Proficiency and demonstrated skills with one or more statistical software packages (SPSS, R, Stata)

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.