Research Associate

$85,000 - $90,000/Yr

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA

Full-time - Entry Level

Richmond, VA

Educational Services

About the position

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to its mission of enhancing employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. This position is grant-funded and focuses on conducting research and providing technical assistance aimed at promoting disability inclusion in various life domains, particularly in education and employment. The Research Associate will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and evaluating clinical research projects, as well as participating in efforts to secure external funding to support these initiatives. The successful candidate will be expected to disseminate research findings through various knowledge translation activities, ensuring that the information is accessible to diverse audiences, including job seekers, businesses, service providers, and educators. In addition to research responsibilities, the Research Associate will serve as an instructor for state and national virtual certification courses on employment interventions, such as supported and customized employment. This role requires a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, as well as the ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research activities. The Research Associate will also be responsible for maintaining compliance with institutional review board (IRB) protocols, conducting literature reviews, and utilizing various data analysis programs to support research efforts. The position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful research that aims to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities through enhanced employment opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an instructor in state and national virtual certification courses on employment interventions for vocational rehabilitation service providers and other stakeholders.
• Disseminate research findings via knowledge translation activities for different audiences, including job seekers, businesses, service providers, and families.
• Assist with research development related to enhancing employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
• Lead and assist in the development of grant proposals from external funding sources for disability and employment research.
• Prepare research documents for review by the VCU Institutional Review Board (IRB) and participate in ongoing IRB interactions as required during active studies.
• Implement research protocols with precision as approved by the VCU IRB.
• Establish and maintain certification compliance with the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Training).
• Conduct peer-reviewed literature reviews and summarize knowledge surrounding topics related to disability and employment.
• Participate in the collection and analysis of research-derived data using various methodologies, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
• Utilize data entry and analysis programs such as RedCAP, SPSS, Excel, Nvivo, Atlas TI, and Qualtrics.
• Pursue publications in discipline-specific peer-reviewed journals and disseminate research through conferences and white papers.
• Complete required documentation of grant-related activities for funders.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research activities.
• Promote the RRTC and university's research initiatives through professional activities such as peer-reviewing journal articles and grant submissions.
• Maintain excellent communication with supervisor, co-workers, and external staff through written and verbal communication.
• Work collaboratively with other research team members and respond promptly to requests for information.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (e.g., education, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, psychology, biostatistics, or closely related field).
• Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating expertise in relevant disciplines.
• At least 2 years of experience in data collection, management, and analysis.
• At least 2 years of experience in writing, monitoring, and/or implementing grant activities.
• Extensive knowledge of evidence-based practices that facilitate inclusive outcomes for people with disabilities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Expertise/publications in a specific area or concentrated line of inquiry in a relevant discipline.
• Experience teaching or presenting research or clinical content for different stakeholder groups.
• Clinical experience working with people with disabilities in inclusive settings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $85,000 - $90,000.
• Opportunities for professional development and research dissemination.
• Access to resources and support from a nationally recognized research team.