Research Assistant II

MSU - Michigan State University; Flint (MI); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking an RA II for the CAPACITY Lab in the College of Human Medicine. The role supports NIH-funded mental health intervention projects in youth and families and will involve coordination, data collection, and reporting across a hybrid schedule on the Flint Campus.

The successful candidate will manage projects, supervise staff, and contribute to manuscripts, reports, and community partnerships, with strong communication and organizational skills essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or related field; 3–5 years overseeing research projects and lab operations.
• Master’s preferred, with NIH grant experience and IRB knowledge.
• Experience with project management tools and coordinating staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication; attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a team and liaise with community partners.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee research projects to meet milestones.
• Supervise and review work of support staff.
• Assist in preparing reports, articles and presentations for publication.
• Maintain records of procedures and experimental data.
• Conduct field work and ensure quality control and compliance.

Skills

Project management

Qualitative/quantitative/mixed methods

Detail-oriented

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field

Master's degree in social science preferred

Tools

Slack

Asana

Job description

Position Summary

The College of Human Medicine Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health at Michigan State University announces an available RA II position in Dr. Brittany Rudd’s CAPACITY Lab. The RA II will support the execution of a portfolio of NIH-funded projects related to the implementation of mental health interventions in legal settings that serve youth and families.

• Oversees and coordinates research conducted in order to meet national standards and maintain and/or continue grant funding.
• Performs experimental tests and records and analyzes results in order to provide conclusive data for research projects.
• Plans research methodology and develops, adapts and updates procedures in order to design research experiments that contribute to meeting project goals.
• Supervises and reviews the work of support staff.
• Assists in preparing and editing reports, articles and manuscripts for publication; participates in presentations.
• Maintains materials, methods and records of experimental procedures and evaluations of data accumulated.
• Performs all field work in order to run experiments and research studies.
• Establishes and implements quality control procedures and ensures compliance with federal guidelines.
• Researches current literature in order to determine the most economical, efficient and productive research methods.
• Assists in the design and implementation of computer systems for data collection.
• Collects and organizes materials/patients/clients for experiments and research studies.
• Performs duties normally associated with a Research Assistant I in order to complete research projects.

In addition to the duties listed on the job description, the RAII will also:

• Coordinate and plan the execution of research projects to ensure milestones are met
• Train and coordinate research assistants and study staff to ensure compliance with study protocols
• Coordinate and execute timely payment of study participants, research advisors, and consultants
• Assist in the development of brief interventions that aim to promote mental health equity
• Support the development of community-academic partnerships by leading and joining community events, meetings, and activities
• Participate in the development and management of the lab's social media and web presence
• Assist in the completion of quarterly and yearly project reports for Lab research projects
• Support the development of a lab climate that facilitates psychological safety, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Assist in Lab training and dissemination activities, as well as training coordination and evaluation
• Participate in scholarship activities, including analyses, manuscript preparation, and grant writing

The successful candidate will have project management experience, experience executing qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods social science projects, be exceptionally detail-oriented, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have excellent interpersonal skills. This is a hybrid position. The successful candidate will work in-person on the Flint Campus a minimum of two days a week and travel to join meetings in the region.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Public Health or related science field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory equipment, performing specialized and difficult analytical and research techniques, and designing research experiments in an area related to research being performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Master's Degree in social science preferred
Previous experience: managing NIH grants, including pre-award support, post-award support, reporting (i.e., RPPR), and clinicaltrials.org registration; developing and overseeing the execution of IRB protocols, especially those involving community engaged research; executing qualitative research, including building new interview guides, as well as collecting and analyzing qualitative data; using project management tools like slack and ASANA to support project management; training staff and student research assistants

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Work Hours

9 A.M - 5:00 P.M with flex 5 hours per week.

Description of End Date

This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://publichealth.msu.edu/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 09/15/2026 at 11:55 PM