Research Associate I

Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation; Kentucky; Hybrid; USD 29,618 - 36,437; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3.5–7 weeks of accrued PTO

Company provided Retirement Plan

Medical, Dental and Vision coverage

Job summary

The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation is seeking a Research Associate I in Kentucky. This position involves engaging with communities, recruiting participants for a tobacco use study, and various research activities, requiring travel across specified counties.

Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience, be organized, and have excellent communication skills. The role pays between $21.50 to $26.45 per hour based on experience and offers full-time or part-time availability with several benefits.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience or five or more years related work experience.
• Experience living in or working near the study counties.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Implement research activities for AppalTRuST.
• Engage with community organizations for study awareness.
• Recruit, consent, and enroll participants.

Skills

Excellent writing skills

Excellent organizational skills

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Research Associate I

Shift Type

Full-time and Part-time

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Location

Kentucky US Counties: Perry Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Boyd, Greenup, and Carter - US (Primary)

Experience

Experienced (Non-Manager)

Category

Research

Job Type

Full-time and Part-time

Travel

70 - 80%

Position Summary

PIRE is an independent, nonprofit organization merging scientific knowledge and proven practice to create solutions that improve the health, safety and well‑being of individuals, communities, and nations around the world. PIRE has partnered with the University of Kentucky (UK) on the Appalachian Tobacco Regulatory Science Team (AppalTRuST), a project that will collect longitudinal survey data to study the impact of current and future federal regulations on tobacco use and marketing in Appalachian Kentucky. Over the next two years, the project will continue to recruit and enroll 2,000 participants, 18 years and older, across eight Kentucky counties: Perry, Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Boyd, Greenup, and Carter. PIRE and UK are making a long‑term commitment to these counties by hiring project staff who live in these counties and who have familiarity with local culture, practices, and perspectives.

To help make this project successful, PIRE is looking for 1–2 outgoing, personable, independent and highly organized individuals who will enroll study participants and conduct research activities for AppalTRuST. Applicants must be willing to travel 2–3 days a week, including some evenings and weekends (travel expenses will be reimbursed). The hourly rate for this 60–100% FTE, benefit‑eligible position is between $21.50 to $26.45, dependent on experience.

Example research activities include:

• engaging with community organizations and residents to inform them of the study (through phone call or text, online, and in‑person)
• recruiting, consenting, and enrolling participants
• collecting baseline and six‑month follow‑up data from participants
• traveling to assigned locations within their designated county each week to recruit participants and collect data (2–3 days a week, occasional evenings and weekends)
• delivering research materials to participants

This position will support the PIRE Principal Investigator and senior project staff and collaborate closely with Principal Investigators and project staff at UK.

Qualifications

Ideal applicants will live in one of these eight counties and be very familiar with the counties in which they will engage, recruit, and retain participants, including knowledge and relationships with local organizations, communities, and cultures across the county. Applicants will be expected to recruit, engage, and collect data from individuals of all ages across the community, and should feel comfortable directly engaging with diverse adult populations (18 years old and over) who have been typically overlooked in research in a non‑judgmental or stigmatizing way. Applicants should be able to think on their feet, feel comfortable asking questions as needed, take guidance, and incorporate feedback well, work as part of a team, manage conflict, and take initiative when required.

Applicants must be able to synthesize large amounts of information (including research protocols, data management protocols, and tobacco products) coherently, as well as have excellent verbal/written communication, organization, and presentation skills. Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume/CV.

This benefit‑eligible position will be based in one of the eight counties listed above, and formally a part of PIRE’s Kentucky Center.

Benefits Overview

• 3.5–7 weeks of accrued PTO during the first year
• Company provided Retirement Plan
• Company provided Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment of $100k
• Company provided Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 1–2 years’ experience, or five or more years related work experience
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience living in and/or working in or near the study counties: Perry, Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Boyd, Greenup, and Carter
• Valid driver's license, access to reliable personal transportation, and current automobile insurance (mileage reimbursed) for required travel within Kentucky

Preference given to applicants with:

• Applicants living in Perry, Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Boyd, Greenup, or Carter County in Kentucky
• Previous research experience and field data collection
• Previous or current involvement in community organizing/engagement

Some Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement research activities, including recruitment and data collection for AppalTRuST
• Follow research protocols closely and conduct ongoing quality assurance
• Track survey completion, participant incentives, and response rates
• Accurately collect data with a high level of detail in natural settings (i.e., at tobacco retailers) using established data collection protocols
• Engage and educate diverse community leaders, partners, and decision makers on the AppalTRuST project
• Manage project work to meet established deadlines and deliverables
• Maintain project files and data on shared drives (Sharepoint and Microsoft Teams)
• Work closely with project leadership and team members across the state to ensure data collection is on schedule, that research protocols are being maintained, and that continuous quality improvement occurs

Exemption Type

Non‑Exempt

PIRE is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. PIRE is a diverse community devoted to the promotion and acceptance of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, gender, physical ability, or veteran status. PIRE is committed to employ, and advance in employment, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status. PIRE will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact Human Resources by email at [e-mail].