Hourly Research Assistant - Undergraduate or Graduate Student

University of Utah Health Research; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Utah Health Research seeks one to two student research assistants to support NIH-funded work in Population Health Sciences. This part-time hourly position runs from November 2026 to December 2027, with possible extension based on performance and funding.

Responsibilities include training in rapid qualitative data approaches, coding interview transcripts, and participating in team meetings. Requires three years of undergrad or current MS/MPH, and proficiency with

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of undergraduate coursework or current MS/MPH or similar graduate student.
• Strong work habits including punctuality and reliability.
• Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team. No travel is required.
• Use of typical Microsoft Office software, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Candidate must be willing to comply with all local UU requirements for work (background check).

Responsibilities

• Participate in weekly team meetings with the research team, as schedule allows.
• Support data tracking, data coding, and qualitative analysis as needed for the BHF trial.
• Attend implementation support sessions with community-based implementation teams for note-taking and other data collection needs.
• Other tasks as assigned.
• Maintain frequent communication with UU staff and researchers.

Skills

Qualitative research

Data coding

Microsoft Office

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate coursework (3 years)

MS/MPH or similar graduate student

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Details

• Open Date: 09/18/2026
• Requisition Number: PRN17483N
• Job Title: Hourly Research Assistant
• Working Title: Hourly Research Assistant - Undergraduate or Graduate Student
• Career Progression Track: B
• Track Level: S1 - Entry Level Support
• FLSA Code: Nonexempt
• Patient Sensitive Job Code?: No
• Type: Non Benefited Staff / Student
• Temporary?: No
• Standard Hours per Week: 19
• Full Time or Part Time?: Part Time
• Shift: Day
• Work Schedule Summary: M-F 8-5
• Is this a work study job?: No
• VP Area: U of U Health - Academics
• Department: 01720 - PHS - HEALTH SYS INNO & RSRCH
• Location: Campus
• City: Salt Lake City, UT
• Type of Recruitment: External Posting
• Pay Rate Range: 20/hr
• Close Date: 12/31/2026
• Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time): 12/31/2026

Job Summary

Dr. Jennie Hill in the University of Utah School of Medicine’s Population Health Sciences Department is seeking to hire one to two student research assistants to support research tasks, including training in rapid qualitative data approaches for an NIH -funded project. We are looking for students who are enthusiastic about community-based projects, rural health, and child and adolescent health and who want to expand their skill set. Research assistants will support a variety of research tasks and will be trained to code qualitative interview transcripts. This is a part-time hourly position from November 2026 to December 2027, with a possible extension based on performance and funding.

Responsibilities

The expectations for the research assistant are:

Daily Research Tasks As Assigned

• Participate in weekly team meetings with the research team, as schedule allows.
• Support data tracking, data coding, and qualitative analysis as needed for the BHF trial.
• Attend implementation support sessions with community-based implementation teams for note-taking and other data collection needs.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Specific Qualitative Data Training And Coding Tasks

• Participate in one 4-hour (approximate time) training session, which will cover policies and procedures of this study and use of the codebook.
• The research assistant must achieve a minimum level of proficiency and accuracy in coding and analysis.
• Assist the research team with the coding of process and interview data (training provided) and other tasks related to qualitative data analysis.
• Maintain frequent communication with the UU staff and researchers, including regular text or email communication with the research coordinator.

Compensation Details & Minimal Time Commitment Include

• The minimum hourly rate is $20.00 (depending on education and previous work experience).
• Minimum availability of 10 hours per week.
• Must attend trainings and weekly team meetings, which are paid work hours.
• At minimum, research assistants must be able to provide a 3-hour block of time on at least 2 days/week to be considered for this position to attend required training and meetings.
• Use the time card system to report hours.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of undergraduate coursework (i.e., junior or senior undergraduate) or current MS/ MPH or similar graduate student.
• Strong work habits including punctuality and reliability.
• The ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team. No travel is required.
• Use of typical Microsoft Office software, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Candidate must be willing to comply with all local and UU requirements for work (i.e., background check).

Preferences

• Preference for previous research experience or course equivalent, particularly qualitative research experience.
• Demonstrated written or other work products (i.e., written papers, methods sections, or similar product from a course or previous work).
• Preference for 15-20 hours per week, with ability to attend regular standing meetings (i.e., 9-5 pm Mountain Standard Time).

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

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