Research Associate

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Overview

The Research Associate will support "Investigating Disability Stigma and Care Interactions Among Neurodegenerative Disease Caregiving Dyads: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Across ALS, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, and Parkinson's Disease," a 12-month pilot study examining how disability stigma and ableism shape caregiving experiences across three neurodegenerative conditions. The study is housed within the LEITH (Lived Experiences Igniting Transformations in Health) Lab at Yale School of Public Health within the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and is led by Dr. Chelsey R. Carter. The research study requires a part-time research associate to help develop and administer a novel dyadic survey capturing perceived stigma, internalized ableism, and care interactions among 30 caregiving dyads and coordinate disease-specific focus groups. This position offers hands-on experience in mixed-methods research design, dyadic survey development, and community-engaged qualitative methods within a health equity–focused academic research environment.

Responsibilities will include:

• Carries out research within the scope of the established study protocol. Adheres to all human subjects’ regulations as defined by Yale University and the federal government that pertain to research studies.
• Identify, recruit and enroll potential research participants.
• Screen patients for eligibility criteria.  Contact potential participants to explain study and consent willing participants.
• Perform the duties implementing the motivational interviewing intervention.
• Perform other interview and participant interaction tasks to maintain retention.
• Assist participants with completion of study questionnaires/materials as needed.
• Provide email communication to the LEITH Lab a Community Advisory Board; attend bi-monthly meetings.
• Collaborate with recipients and caregivers affected by ALS, ADRD, and PD, supporting both quantitative data collection and qualitative focus group facilitation to generate preliminary data for a future multi-site, externally funded study.
• Contribute to the development and writing of the protocol and other study specific documents including but not limited to case report forms, training slides, visit checklists, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidance documents, study manuals, etc.
• Maintain, organize, and track all components of the study using Excel and Dedoose, ensuring all data and lab records are kept in order.
• Participate in weekly meetings with PI/study group/other stakeholders.
• Generate reports of study progress on a monthly basis and present these data to study group.
• Perform descriptive statistics of study progress and demographics.
• Maintain a social media presence.
• Preparation of annual reports/budgets to YSPH and LEITH Lab donors.
• Helping the PI and Co-I’s prepare study manuscripts by using statistical and qualitive analyses for high level descriptives and thematic coding.
• Contributes in-depth, original thought and relevance to written reports and to the writing of abstracts and manuscripts.
• Collaborate on other LEITH Lab initiatives as needed; addressing rare, neurodegenerative, and genetic disease research, consistent with the lab's broader mission in rare neurodegenerative and genetic disease.
• Oversee student resources as needed.
• Other tasks, projects and duties as assigned by the PI.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Attentive to details with solid organizational skills.

2. Strong critical thinking skills and ability to independently resolve problems with ability to work self-reliantly with minimal supervision.

3. Proven experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and introductory statistics, including the ability to produce descriptive statistics, graphs, and presentations. Working knowledge of data management software and procedures.

4. Good research practices, well organized planning, maintaining good study records and electronic notebooks are necessary.
 

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Master's degree in a related field (e.g., public health, social sciences).
2. Proven experience with Dedoose and R.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Carries out research within the scope of the established study protocol. Adheres to all human subjects regulations as defined by Yale University and the federal government that pertain to research studies. 2. Develops criteria for admission of study subjects based on goals and objectives of project. 3. Determines potential sources of funding and prospective partnerships. 4. Evaluates feasibility of accepting potential projects through analysis of staffing needs, resource requirements, financial costs, and current planned capacity of group. Negotiates contracts and/or changes with funder. 5. Develops original HIC/IRB submissions.  Based on knowledge of science and research goals, collaborates with PIs on major revisions and contributes to scientific protocols.  Plans and implements changes. 6. Develops forms, questionnaires and the application of research techniques; writes procedures manuals for data collection and coding. 7. Responsible for the documentation and transmission of study data.  Ensures that report forms are accurately documented and completed in a timely manner at each site location. 8. Works independently to develop manage and organize multi site studies.  Serves as primary coordinator between University, non-Yale collaborators, pharmaceutical companies, HIC, IRB and funding sources. 9. Performs descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. 10. Designs and implements quality control measures to ensure accurate collection and processing of data. 11. Contributes in-depth, original thought and relevance to written reports and to the writing of abstracts and manuscripts. Required Education and Experience Master’s Degree in a related discipline and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required License(s) or Certification(s) Required License(s) or Certification(s): Physical Requirements Physical Requirements:

Job Posting Date

10/06/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Research Associate 2 HSS (23)

Salary Range

$65,000.00 - $101,000.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.