Research Aide- Leak Research Group

NYC RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION
Job Summary:
The Leak Research Group (LRG) is growing, and Dr. Tashara M. Leak is looking to hire a full-time research assistant (RA) to work on several community-based studies and outreach projects involving youth and families in New York City (NYC) who predominately self-identify as Black and have limited financial resources. Dr. Leak is an Associate Professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences (https://www.human.cornell.edu/people/tml226), Co-Director of the Action Research Collaborative (ARC; https://arc.bctr.cornell.edu/), and Associate Dean of the College of Human Ecology in NYC. This position is located in New York City.
The RA will work on several studies and projects (see examples below).
Black Girls for Wellness (BGW): A 12-week culturally tailored, lifestyle intervention that aims to improve diet and physical activity among Black adolescent girls at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a female caregiver. Each week, adolescent/caregiver dyads will engage in a 2-hour wellness session (mindfulness, Afrocentric dance class, nutrition lesson) and a self-guided at home cooking experience preparing plant-based ethnic dishes using ingredients sent via a grocery delivery service. There are 2 versions of BGW, one will be implemented virtually (via Zoom) with about 60 dyads, and another will be implemented in person with about 30 dyads. As of right now, BGW will be implemented on Saturdays. To learn more visit https://www.tasharaleak.com/projects/.
The Advanced Cooking Education (ACE) 4-H After School Club: ACE is a 12-week 4-H after school club for 7th and 8th grade students at NYC schools that receive Title 1 funding (federal funds given to low-income serving schools). Each week participants will meet one day after school for a wellness and professional development session (mindfulness, exposure to careers in food and nutrition, nutrition lesson) and bi-weekly they will engage in a self-guided culinary session at home (prepare an ethnic, plant-based meal). To learn more visit https://www.aceprogramnyc.com/.
The Youth Engagement and Action for Health (YEAH!) Program: YEAH! is a 12 session program for middle and high school students where they learn about nutrition and food justice, conduct ethnographic observations of their neighborhood food environment, and make suggestions on how to improve the food environment to community and policy stakeholders. To learn more read https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37166089/.
Candidates must have prior research experience and have engaged in at least 2 of the following activities:

• Development of research materials (e.g., recruitment flyers, institutional review board applications)
• Data collection
• Program implementation (e.g., leading nutrition classes)
• Data analysis
• Writing (e.g., conference abstracts, manuscripts).

Candidates MUST also have extensive experience working with adolescents and Black and Latinx populations.
This is a full time, 1-year appointment based in NYC, with the possibility of renewal. This is a fully in person position (i.e., no remote work). Candidates should be based in or have the capacity to commute to and around NYC (especially Manhattan and Brooklyn). Candidates must be able to work Monday-Thursday 9-5p and Saturdays 9-2p, and candidates taking courses during these hours will NOT be eligible to apply. Note: There will be times when recruitment and/or other activities will take place after 5p and/or on Fridays. Work schedules will be adjusted, and RAs never work more than 40 hours/week.
Responsibilities and Duties: The research assistant will be responsible for the tasks below.

• Assist with administrative tasks and day-to-day research activities. (20% of time)
  • Communicate and follow the directives of the leadership team.
  • Maintain multiple office spaces (e.g., keep stock of equipment/supplies).
  • Participate and take notes during research team meetings.
  • Assist with institutional review board (IRB) submissions, which involves corresponding with IRBs at multiple institutions.
  • Maintain relationships with community partners (e.g., attend events that community partners host).
  • Assisting in the preparation of infographics including study findings, conference abstracts/posters, grant submissions, reports, etc.

• Lead recruitment, screening, and enrollment of study participants. (15% of time)
  • For BGW: Screen potential participants using EPIC (electronic medical records) to determine eligibility, recruit patients during clinic visits, and schedule eligible participants for their in-person data collection visit.
  • For ACE: Lead in person and virtual recruitment events at participating schools and enroll eligible study participants.
  • General: Review consent and assent forms for completeness, maintain database to ensure participant contact information and private information are safely stored.
• Lead and coordinate data collection efforts (25% of time):
  • For BGW only: Assist clinical staff with collection of biological specimens, train participants on how to wear accelerometers.
  • General: Collect height, weight, waist circumference, body fat %, and dermal carotenoid levels; Train participants on how to keep 24-hour diet records; enter diet record data into the Nutrition Data System for Research.
  • Assist with entry, cleaning, and data management.
• Lead intervention/programmatic activities in person and virtually (40% of time)
  • Send weekly reminders about the days/times for intervention activities.
  • Place grocery orders and coordinate deliveries.
  • Energetically lead intervention activities (e.g., meditations, stretching, journaling, affirmations, hands on career exploration, nutrition lessons).

Knowledge and Skills:
Required

• Ability to take initiative and simultaneously manage multiple research activities with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Excellent organization skills of implementing multiple nutrition/health programs.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (e.g., Excel).
• Preferred
• Experience with survey software (e.g., Qualtrics, REDCap).
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., STATA, SAS, etc.).
• Experience with medical records software (e.g., EPIC).

Education and Experience:

• Required
• Bachelor's degree in nutrition or related field.
• At least 1 year of relevant research experience. Completed coursework does not count towards this 1-year requirement.
• Experience working with culturally diverse youth.
• Preferred
• Master's degree

To apply: Applicants must submit the following 3 materials online at:
NOTE: Applications missing any of these 3 required items will not be reviewed. Do not email application materials to Dr. Leak.

• Cover letter (2 pages max): You must describe prior research experience and give specific examples of activities you have engaged in. You must also describe your experience working with adolescents and Black and Latinx populations.
• Curriculum vitae/resume: Make sure to list research software you know how to use, completed Collaborative Institutional Training Initiatives (CITI) classes, languages you speak, etc.
• Writing sample: This can be a paper from class, peer-reviewed manuscript, etc. If you submit a co-authored piece, note what specific sections you were responsible for.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.
University Job Title:
Research Aide IV
Job Family:
Academic Support
Level:
D
Pay Rate Type:
Hourly
Pay Range:
$23.29 - $31.47
Remote Option Availability:
Fully Onsite
Company:
Contract College
Contact Name:
Krassimira Hernandez
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2024-01-18