Research and Development Associate jobs in Flagstaff, AZ

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.
• This position has the ability to be a remote position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at a location other than an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. The incumbent may occasionally work in a shared site, but primarily will work elsewhere.
• This position can also be a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation. The selected incumbent can also chose to be completely on-site, which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is an out of state position which allows the incumbent to complete their work in a state other than Arizona with or without accommodation. The incumbent may work in a remote, in-person, or hybrid modality.

The research associate will be a contributing member of the Institute of Human Development (IHD) research and evaluation team. The research associate will work across projects to assist with maintaining a collaborative and organized research team. Under the direction of the IHD Research Director, the research associate will assist with tasks such as leading research and evaluation activities, tracking project needs, and assisting with preparation of research materials, to include but not limited to formatting, references, and dissemination. The research associate will also assist with data collection and management, coordination of research tasks with undergraduate research associates and assistants, and development of materials for the NAU Institutional Review Board (IRB). The work of the research associate requires strong written and verbal communication skills. The research associate is expected to take initiative, be discrete, and be a positive team member.

IHD is an interdisciplinary unit and the oldest Institute at NAU. IHD is housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences on the campus of NAU in Flagstaff, Arizona. IHD is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) emphasizing four core function areas: Research and Evaluation, Interdisciplinary Education and Training, Community Service, and Information Dissemination.

Research and Evaluation Projects - 50%

• Leads research projects along with internal and external evaluation projects.
• Collaborates with the PI and external evaluators to develop a clear, organized plan for carrying out the proposed research or evaluation project.
• Ensures project benchmarks, assists with tracking project milestones, and ensuring reporting deadlines are met.
• Provides leadership to the team of IHD staff assisting with the project.
• Organizes meetings with funder, in collaboration with the project PI, as needed and collaborates with project partners.
• Contributes evaluation content to required reports and other dissemination materials.
• Develops or guides research activities, including data collection, verifying data, evaluation, and analysis.
• Manages, disseminates, and tracks data collection timeline, develops, updates and manages survey data collection instruments in platforms such as Qualtrics, RedCap, Google Forms.
• Informs decisions regarding data timelines and processes.
• Manages and cleans large data sets.
• Performs independent research and analysis using advanced methods or procedures.
• Determines appropriate protocols or adjustments related to the type of experiment being conducted.
• Creates reporting templates and data visualizations for program participants.

IHD Research Team Member - 30%

• Leads the data, evaluation, and reporting team.
• Identifies and presents opportunities for funding to the IHD research team.
• Supports grant writing teams by organizing data components, organizing supplemental materials, and providing formatting support.
• Establishes professional goals aligned to the work of IHD and the IHD research team.
• Contributes to the collective learning of the IHD research team.
• Develops materials for the NAU Institutional Review Board.
• Tracks IRB submissions and reporting requirements for the IHD research team.
• Participates in knowledge translation workgroup.
• Leads the development of research grant proposals.
• Co-authors publications and other dissemination materials.

Administrative Support - 15%

• Provides organizational and logistical support to the IHD Research Director.
• Creates agendas, reporting templates, and data visualizations.
• Assists with authoring project reports and .
• Provides presentations in relationship to data outcomes.

Other - 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in relevant discipline.
• 4-6 years of research and/or evaluation support experience.
• A combination of related education, experience and training may be used as an equivalent to the educational minimum requirements.

• Ph.D. in relevant discipline.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and statistical software.
• Experience with qualitative data analysis and qualitative data analysis software.
• Advanced skills with data management and dashboard development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of relevant research practices.
• Knowledge of research methods, protocols, data collection, and analysis.
• Knowledge of relevant research discipline.
• Knowledge of proper safety and compliance practices related to the conduct of research.
• Technical understanding and proficiency related to conducting relevant research procedures.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience with Excel and word processing software.
• Communicates effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including external parties.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Ability

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and attend to details in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing deadlines.
• Ability to analyze problems and make well-reasoned, sound decisions.
• The ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders and people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and makes decisions regarding resource allocation.

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Anticipated salary range is $54,779 - $68,474. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

May 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

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NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.