Research Coordinator

Position Overview

The Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) is hiring a Project Coordinator (PC) to support the CARPE DIEM research grant, directed by Drs. Gail Ferguson (PI), Melissa Koenig, and Charisse Pickron. The mixed methods experimental and longitudinal project seeks to investigate three different ways of supporting White mothers in anti-racist parenting.

The PC will be part of a highly engaged and CARPE DIEM collaborative team led by Dr. Ferguson with support from Drs. Koenig and Pickron. The PC will be trained by these faculty members and will be supervised by Dr. Ferguson and graduate student researchers. The PC will be responsible for managing the day-to-day coordination of the project activities including managing in-person and virtual family visits and managing data entry and cleaning, both of which involve training and supervising undergraduate research assistants on related tasks.

The PC will receive professional mentorship from the PI and Co-PI to facilitate their future training and professional development.

This is a one-year, 50%-time position, with potential conversion to a continuous position dependent on satisfactory performance and available funding. CARPE DIEM involves data collection on weekday afternoons/evenings and weekends The PC's work hours will include weekday evenings and weekends. The PC will have one weekend day off providing that other managerial staff are present to allow for that.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

Job Responsibilities

Manage in-person and virtual family visit assessments of participating families (70%)

• Manage and track family visits (both in person and online)
• Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants on conducting family visits
• Facilitate team communications across recruitment, GRA, PI, and investigator on call, including taking and disseminating meeting agendas/minutes
• Monitor participant experience in study and work with the PI on needed participant communications

Manage data preparation (25%)

• Manage data checking, data cleaning, and data entry of data collected in the family visits
• Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants on data entry

Maintain professional standards (3%)

• Keep research ethics training online (CITI) up to date and adhere to ethical guidelines for CARPE DIEM and Dr. Ferguson's Culture and Family Life Lab
• Attend ongoing staff education and support for ICD project coordinators and lab managers
• Participate in project core team meetings, 1:1 supervision meetings with the PI as needed, and other timely communications for collaborative project management and coordination
• Keep the study hypotheses and participant condition assignment strictly confidential
• Attend regular supervision meetings with Graduate supervisor and/or Dr. Ferguson
• Attend monthly CARPE DIEM project meetings and CFL Lab meetings led by Dr. Ferguson
• Ensure participant confidentiality (including data storage), respect, and comfort in study

Miscellaneous (2%)

• As time allows, assist with other research tasks including manuscript preparation

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and/or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least four years.
• Experience working with parents and children
• Prior cultural developmental research experience
• Experience working collaboratively in a team setting such as in team science
• Familiarity with computer software in PC and Mac (e.g., Word, excel, box, zoom, etc.) and willingness to learn other software required for this PC role (e.g., assessment lab recording equipment)
• Ongoing investments in one's own racial identity development by active participation in CFL Lab BIG/WRID group throughout employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting antiracist parenting research with White families
• Experience working with young children
• Able to communicate and perform well under time pressure

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.

About the College

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 salary range for this position is $20.00 to $20.80 per hour. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 50% 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

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).