(Hybrid) Research Specialist - WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health

The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Research Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The Research Specialist leads and supports the implementation of research and evaluation projects by conducting literature reviews, developing measurement tools, collecting and analyzing data, and supporting the development of project deliverables for the USDA Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access cooperative agreement, titled Working Lands of Central Appalachia, a multi-state project. This is a full-time hybrid position with travel in West Virginia.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefit
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Support the development and implementation of research and evaluation projects
• Conduct and document literature reviews
• Develop valid and reliable measurement tools including assessments, surveys and interview guides.
• Develop and submit IRB applications
• Prepare quantitative measurement tools for distribution by formatting paper forms or building electronic surveys.
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data by conducting interviews/observations and administering surveys/assessments.
• Develop codebooks to ensure accurate data entry and storage
• Transcribe qualitative data gathered from interviews and prepare transcribed data for coding.
• Enter the quantitative data into spreadsheets by ensuring the appropriate data structure and security.
• Prepare data for analysis by cleaning, coding, and merging data.
• Conduct qualitative (coding, theming) and quantitative data analysis (descriptives, ANOVA, regression, multivariate).
• Support the implementation of research and evaluation projects.
• Conduct literature reviews, design and administer and implements research projects as specified in the project plan.
• Prepare quantitative measurement tools for distribution by formatting paper forms or building electronic surveys.
• Applies appropriate quantitative, statistical and or qualitative methods for analysis and interpretation of data
• Develop valid and reliable measurement tools including assessments, surveys and interview guides.
• Collects data in accordance with ethical and technical principles.
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data by conducting interviews/observations and administering surveys/assessments.
• Develop codebooks to ensure accurate data entry and storage, including developing and maintaining data management plans and data use agreements.
• Transcribe qualitative data gathered from interviews and prepare transcribed data for coding.
• Enter the quantitative data into spreadsheets by ensuring the appropriate data structure and security.
• Prepare data for analysis by cleaning, coding, and merging data.
• Conduct qualitative (coding, theming) and quantitative data analysis (descriptives, ANOVA, regression, multivariate).
• Review and write manuscripts for submission to professional and/or scientific journals or reports to the sponsoring agency.
• Collaborates with researchers, scholars and other stakeholders as relevant to the project.
• Identifies new or prospective sponsors and funding opportunities and drafts proposals for new/renewed research funding.
• Monitors daily operation of research programs/projects, including the reporting requirements, budgets and timetables specified in the project.
• Leads discrete components of a larger project under the general direction of a principal researcher.
• Support the development of deliverables, presentations, and manuscripts by participating in storyboarding sessions, writing reports, presenting deliverables and leading manuscript development and dissemination plans.
• Ensures that research projects comply with scientific and ethical requirements.
• May contribute to applications for external funding as a co-principal investigator
• May serve as a principal investigator on a funded research or scholarship project or as a co-investigator under the general direction of a principal investigator.
• May present at professional conferences and meetings in the relevant field
• Submit peer reviewed manuscripts, give professional presentations, interact with farmers and potential farmers
• Serve as a lead and direct support to assist the PI, staff, and students to perform research activities.

• Master's degree in agriculture, food systems, nutrition or health related field. Other preferred: GIS and RDN
• A minimum of six (6) months of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Experience conducting research and evaluation studies in an academic or applied setting.
  • Experience developing valid and reliable measurement tools such as interview guides, surveys, or assessments.
  
  
  
  
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis.
• Proficient in data collection and analysis tools such as Qualtrics, NVivo, and SAS.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to problem solve.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Demonstrated writing skills (English fluency) for published content designed for a variety of audiences and mediums, proposal preparation, reporting and other assigned tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and communities.
• Takes initiative, self-starter, and self-directed as well as the ability to work effectively in a team.

• Valid driver's license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.