Research Professional 2 (Social Worker)

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Paid holidays and generous time off

Job summary

University of Minnesota is seeking a Social Worker (Research Professional 2) to support the HBCD study, focusing on retention, participant support, and connection to resources. The role involves on-site work with a certified peer recovery navigator and collaboration with investigators in ICD, MIDB, Psychiatry and Psychology.

You will lead retention activities, provide one-on-one participant support during visits, and develop community connections to access services like housing, health care, and

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Prior professional experience providing personalized one-on-one support.
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead outreach and retention efforts for the HBCD study.
• Provide personalized one-on-one support to study participants.
• Coordinate referrals to services and resources as needed.
• Support study assessment team and supervise the peer recovery navigator.
• Organize events and maintain resources catalog for participants.
• Coordinate communication with study participants and stakeholders.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Independent and team work

Microsoft Office

Education

BA/BS degree plus 2+ years experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Job

The Minnesota Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study teamis seeking a social worker (Research Professional 2) to support theHBCD study. The study team is led by the Principal InvestigatorsDrs. Sylia Wilson (Institute of Child Development), AnnaZilverstand (Department of Psychiatry) and Michael Georgieff(Department of Pediatrics).

The HBCD study is a NIH-funded national landmark study on thelong-term effects of perinatal substance use exposure and otherrisk and protective factors on infant and child development(https://hbcdstudy.org/). This study includes 7000 women nationally(250 in Minnesota) from various backgrounds, to investigate thebrain development, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotionalfunction beginning in the perinatal period, and extending throughchildhood until age 10 of the children. Currently, the enrolledchildren are 0-3 years old.

The social worker will be responsible for outreach and retentionefforts for the HBCD study, and work with the study assessment teamand a certified peer recovery navigator with past lived experienceof substance use disorder to support study participants.Responsibilities are described below.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Retention & Support of Study Participants – 70%

• Co-developing and implementing a plan for retention strategieswith Dr. Zilverstand (5% of time) – current strategies include 1)individual check-ins with families between and at study visits, 2)referrals to services/resources as needed, 3) personalizedone-on-one support as needed, 4) monthly drop-in group for studyparticipants, 5) phone “warm-line” for study participants, 6) community building and educational events, 7) yearly event forstudy participants, 8) study website and newsletter, 9)compensation, 10) non-monetary incentives.
• Maintaining our catalog of local and regional resources andreferrals (5% of time), which can be offered to participants asthey request or desire, such as how and where to access assistancewith substance use treatment, mental and physical health care,housing, food supplies, etc.
• Providing personalized one-on-one support to study participantsduring study visits (25% of time). The study team includes acertified peer recovery navigator with past lived experiences ofSubstance Use Disorder. Together with the peer navigator, you willcheck in with study participants at study visits to answerquestions and provide resources/referrals for study participants asneeded. Personalized one-on-one support may also include homevisits in-between study visits.
• Co-developing a plan and purchasing items for non-monetarycompensation of study participants (5% of time), such as forexample developmentally appropriate toys or infant/toddlerclothing.
• Leading a monthly drop-in group for study participants andproviding a phone “warm line” (10% of time) that can be contactedby study participants during business hours for questions andsupport.
• Contacting study participants in case of a clinically significantincidental finding (5% of time), providing the appropriate referralinformation (in consultation with the clinicians from the studyteam).
• Managing our social media accounts and study communicationchannels (5% of time).
• Organizing, overseeing, participating in and leading events aimedat retaining enrolled participants (10% of time), forexample:

• Community events hosted by the University and/or collaboratingcommunity organizations around different topics such as for examplethe goals of the study, the achieved study milestones, andresources available for participating families and beyond.
• Educational events at the University of Minnesota and/orcollaborating community organizations, led by researchers orcollaborators that are organized around topics that are relevant toyoung families such as for example breastfeeding, infant care,perinatal depression, child development, parenting & healthyrelationships.

• Communication with child welfare contacts (state and county level)to coordinate the participation of previously enrolled childrenthat are now involved in the child welfare system (asneeded).

Supervise and support of assessment and scheduling team – 20%

• Supervision of the certified peer recovery navigator (5% oftime).
• Supervising students who prepare a study newsletter, and/or sendout cards and non-monetary incentives to study participants (5% oftime).
• Supporting the assessment team as needed (5% of time).
• Touch based with scheduling team (5% of time).

Meetings – 10%

• Participate in meetings with the principal investigators and studyassessment team. Collaborating with and consulting the assessmentteam on available resources for study participants.
• Participate in meetings of the local HBCD Community AdvisoryBoard, which will consist of community members and health careproviders, and will consult the study team on the implementation ofthe protocol, inform targeted retention efforts, identifypriorities and needs of partner communities, and perform communityoutreach.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least 2 years of relevant experience or acombination of education and relevant work experience to equal sixyears.
• Prior professional experience with providing personalizedone-on-one support.
• Prior professional experience working with women with substanceuse disorder.
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills(verbal, listening and writing) and ability to establish andmaintain positive rapport with a variety of clients andprofessionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and asa part of a team.
• Ability to work on-site at the Masonic Institute for theDeveloping Brain (MIDB), Institute of Child Development (ICD),Department of Psychiatry, and/or Department of Psychology inElliott Hall.
• Ability to work 1-3 weeknights or weekend days per week, dependingon study phase.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office based software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in social work.
• Prior professional experience with research with humansubjects.
• Prior professional experience with community outreach.
• Prior professional experience working with mothers and/or familieswith infants and/or young children.
• A valid Minnesota driver’s license and access to a vehicle withinsurance coverage to travel to recruitment clinics and communityevents (mileage will be reimbursed).

About the Department

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences consists ofan outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators whoprovide world-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment,scholarship, and scientific discovery.

Our mission is to:

• Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mentalhealth
• Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs toalleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mentalresilience
• Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who willbe leaders in Minnesota and beyond
• Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy onissues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research

You can find more information on our website at https://med.umn.edu/psychiatry.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: The salary range is $24 - $30/hour, depending oneducation/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type : Civil-Service & Non-Faculty LaborRepresented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package thatincludes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition BenefitProgram
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counselingat no cost
• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metroarea

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. Thisapproach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions ofeach candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered toincoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC) is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude ofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received