Research Assistant

Brown University; Providence (RI); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University’s Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute seeks a full-time grant-funded Research Assistant to support youth depression prevention projects. The role engages diverse local communities, including Spanish-speaking families, and collaborates with Project Managers, Clinicians, and Principal Investigators to impact adolescents and their families.

The position involves school-based screening/intervention activities, consent processes, motivational interviews, participant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, or related field.
• 1–2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with survey and database software, such as Qualtrics or Redcap.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Experience in human subjects research.
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach for recruitment to parents.
• Obtain consent for enrolling teens in school-based study.
• Conduct motivational interviews with families.
• Monitor participant tracking and follow-up.
• Assist with coordination of study meetings and distribution of study information.
• Provide administrative support, including literature searches, formatting bibliographies, and proofreading manuscripts or reports.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, or related field

Tools

Qualtrics

RedCap

SPSS

Job description

Position Purpose

The Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at the School of Public Health is seeking a full-time grant-funded Research Assistant to support multiple projects focused on depression prevention in youth and families. This role is central to our outreach efforts within diverse local communities, including Spanish-speaking populations. The successful applicant will work closely with the Project Managers, Clinicians, and other staff, as well as the Principal Investigators, on efforts that will have a direct impact on adolescents and their families.

Job Description

The Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at the School of Public Health is seeking a full-time grant-funded Research Assistant to support multiple projects focused on depression prevention in youth and families. This role is central to our outreach efforts within diverse local communities, including Spanish-speaking populations. The successful applicant will work closely with the Project Managers, Clinicians, and other staff, as well as the Principal Investigators, on efforts that will have a direct impact on adolescents and their families.

This position will involve working on: (1) a large-scale, school-based screening/intervention initiative aimed at addressing the problem of youth depression and suicidal behavior; and (2) research studies evaluating the long-term effects of prevention interventions on adolescent depression. Major functions include conducting outreach for recruitment to parents, conducting consent for enrolling teens in school-based study, conducting motivational interviews, monitoring participant tracking and follow-up while assisting with the coordination of study meetings and the distribution of study information, and providing administrative support for research activities, including performing preliminary literature searches, formatting bibliographies, and proofreading manuscripts or reports.

This is a hybrid eligible position. This is a fixed term position with a current end date of 10/31/2027, which may be extended based upon available funding. All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

Job Qualifications And Competencies

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related field is preferred.
• Experience with survey and database software, such as Qualtrics or Redcap, strongly preferred.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Experience working in human subjects research, strongly preferred.
• Experience using SPSS or other statistical packages
• Experience and familiarity with clinical diagnoses.
• Research experience, particularly with mental health research.
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English (written and verbal) is strongly preferred to facilitate communication with Spanish-speaking study participants and families

Job Competencies

Indicate the essential job competencies. Competencies are required knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job successfully.

• Strong software proficiency (i.e. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, RedCap, Qualtrics), (e.g. Redcap, Qualtrics).
• High level of comfort with technology that enables virtual interactions (e.g., Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, TEAMS).
• Ability to interact well with adolescents, parents, and school personnel.
• Ability to discuss mental health concerns, including depression, with families.
• Ability to discuss study goals and tasks to interested parents and teens.
• Ability to compile and enter data accurately and maintain confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail, high level of professionalism and organization required.
• Efficient time management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work independently with little structure.
• Ability to travel locally to conduct study activities
• Flexibility to support a varying work schedule, which will include evenings.

Recruiting Start Date

2026-10-09

Job Posting Title

Research Assistant

Department

Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute

Grade

Grade 8

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Position Work Location

Hybrid

Submission Guidelines

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote. Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Brown is an E-Verify Employer

EEO Statement

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.