Senior Research Associate

University of Massachusetts Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Boston seeks a Senior Research Associate to lead the National Collaboratory to Address Elder Mistreatment (NCAEM), Phase IV, integrating elder mistreatment prevention and intervention into mainstream health and social care. The role involves independent work with national partners and a focus on implementation science, evaluation, mentorship, and sustainability planning.

The position requires a social science master’s degree (doctoral preferred), strong project

Qualifications

• Social science master’s degree required and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience and quantitative research methods and skills are required.
• Social science doctoral degree preferred. Prior experience with project management, research, and demonstrated ability to work independently required.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis, survey design, survey administration, data management and statistical analysis preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required.

Responsibilities

• Design competitive research projects, either in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or investigator-initiated funding opportunities.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations to clients; partners.
• Identify promising directions for research consistent with the mission of the NCAEM, in collaboration with senior investigators.
• Develop and submit for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Initiate and facilitate regular communication with co-investigators on research projects.
• Manage research projects in a responsible and timely fashion, troubleshooting and identifying needed modifications.
• Participate in recruiting, training and supervising Research Assistants and graduate student employees.
• Develop and implement strategies for effective dissemination to stakeholders, including national conference presentations and funders.
• Maintain and organize all project files, documents and reports.

Skills

Project management

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Statistical analysis

Oral and written communication

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in social science

Doctoral degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job no: 530216
Position Type: Staff Part Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Gerontology Institute
Pay Grade: 32
Date opened: 08 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 22 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

General Summary

The Senior Research Associate will play a leadership role in advancing the National Collaboratory to Address Elder Mistreatment (NCAEM), Phase IV: Integrating Elder Mistreatment Prevention and Intervention in Mainstream Health

and Social Care for Older Adults. NCAEM is a national initiative designed to embed elder mistreatment (EM) prevention

and intervention within mainstream health systems, state aging networks, and Medicare Advantage health plans.

Building on prior momentum, Phase IV focuses on integrating EM into broader aging initiatives, identifying supportive

policy and payment pathways, translating evidence into practice, and strengthening sustainability.

The Senior Research Associate will work with a high degree of independence and in close collaboration with the Principal

Investigator(s) and national partners to implement strategic action plans across three key settings—health systems,

states, and health plans. The position is responsible for leading and managing core project components including

working group strategic plans, development of implementation-science informed products, evaluation and mapping of

evidence, mentorship program leadership, strategic dissemination, and sustainability planning.

This role requires strong project management and research expertise, the ability to engage national stakeholders and

advisory board members, and experience translating research into policy and practice. The Senior Research Associate

will contribute to positioning NCAEM as a dynamic national coalition driving systemic integration of elder mistreatment

prevention and intervention into health and social care systems serving older adult

Examples of Duties

• Design competitive research projects, either in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or investigator-initiated funding opportunities;
• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations to clients; partners;
• Both independently and in collaboration with other senior investigators, identify promising directions for research consistent with the mission of the NCAEM;
• Develop and submit for publication in peer review journals articles that contribute to advancing the knowledge base;
• Initiate and facilitate regular communication with co-investigators on research projects;
• Manage research projects in a responsible and timely fashion, troubleshooting and identifying needed modifications, when difficulties arise;
• Participate in recruiting, training and supervising Research Assistants for research projects; manage the efforts of graduate student employees, including recruiting and training;
• Develop and implement strategies for effective dissemination to interested parties, including national conference presentations, funding agencies and service providers;
• Maintain in an organized and accessible manner, all files, documents and reports related to projects;
• Participate in all team meeting and external meetings;
• Plan and execute virtual focus groups;
• Participate in qualitative analysis and interpretation;
• Work collaboratively to produce written materials and reports for external funders.

Qualifications

Social science master’s degree required and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience and quantitative research

methods and skills are required. Social science doctoral degree preferred. Prior experience with project management,

research, and demonstrated ability to work independently required. Experience with quantitative and qualitative data

analysis, survey design, survey administration, data management and statistical analysis preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft

Office Suite required. Training or work experience focusing on older populations is preferred.

• Proficiency in administrative software applications, including Microsoft Office;
• Knowledge of and demonstrated competence in multi-site project management;
• Ability to work independently and to complete tasks, as well as the initiative to anticipate project needs and respond accordingly;
• Ability to successfully manage multiple project components and duties while adhering to deadlines;
• Ability to independently gather, analyze and present statistical and demographic data;
• Ability to work harmoniously in a team environment
• Manage Internal Review Board interactions;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to multi-task;
• Strong interpersonal and analytic skills;
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and quality control, with a commitment to produce high quality deliverables in a timely manner;

Grade: 32

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of August 31, 2027, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] or 617-287-5150.