Junior Faculty Member, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Description

Research Associate’s (RA’s) provide content specific scientific expertise (e.g., epi methods, qualitative or quantitative data analyses, intervention design and implementation, etc.) to support one or more scientific programs.  RA’s typically work in collaboration with other scientists (ie, RA’s or scientific investigators), Project Managers, Programmers, biostatisticians and other research staff. The RA track is considered a faculty track, as distinct from other staff roles in the Institute which also directly or indirectly support the scientific programs.  As such, RA’s are subject to the same academic standards for hiring and promotion as other faculty which include consideration of time within rank, local and national scientific service, scientific reputation, one’s role in generating and disseminating scientific findings as well as one’s overall skill competencies and annual performance. The RA track is a supporting faculty track distinct from the Scientific Investigator track, which is an independent scientific track. The RA II position is an entry level role for persons with a doctorate degree or an early-mid career role for someone with a master’s degree. RA II’s work under the direction of one or more Scientific Investigators, but are expected to function largely independently on assigned tasks. The specific activities RA’s participate in can be variable based on the needs of the project and a person’s skillset, but all RA’s are expected to (1) apply advanced research methods, as relevant to their area of expertise, to the projects they support, (2) participate in scientific writing (such as grant applications and scientific papers), and (3) participate  in the dissemination of scientific findings to a national audience.

Essential Responsibilities

Routine activities: RA II’s work under the supervision of one or more investigators to provide domain-specific scientific knowledge and research expertise to the projects they support (e.g., knowledge about epi methods, qualitative or quantitative data analyses, intervention design and implementation, etc.).  They conduct these activities with supervision and mentoring from more senior scientific faculty, but will require limited day to day supervision and act as content experts for the teams they support.  They are expected to attend faculty meetings, scientific seminars, and other faculty activities. RA II’s will work with their supervisor to manage their current FTE/work demands and to identify future work, but will largely be responsible for managing these activities independently. In rare cases, an RA II may receive institutional approval to submit grants as the Principal Investigator (PI) and lead small projects.

Scientific writing: RA II’s are expected to assist in scientific writing (grants and papers). Appropriate writing contributions at the RA II level include conducting literature reviews, making substantive edits to scientific content, independently drafting large sections of grant proposals or papers, or writing papers as first author with limited assistance. RA II’s will be expected to routinely co-author scientific products and, as appropriate, lead the development of secondary papers or presentations of research findings.

Service: RA II’s are expected to engage in annual service to the organization (KPWHRI or KPWA) or local research community (e.g., UW, FHCRC). Appropriate scientific service includes peer mentoring, serving on committees, teaching, and professional consulting with KPWA leadership.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum four (4) years of advanced research training and experience in a comparable faculty-level research role (with Master’s) OR minimum two (2) years relevant of advanced research training and experience in a comparable faculty-level research role (with Doctorate).

Education

• Master’s degree in a relevant field to KPWHRI’s research, such as Epidemiology, Behavioral Science, Anthropology, etc.

Additional Requirements

• Research skills as appropriate to the needs of the study and project team, including ability to review and synthesize the scientific literature and ability to conduct qualitative or quantitative analyses with limited supervision.
• Ability to conduct specific activities within one’s content domain with supervision.
• Proficiency consistent with advanced graduate training and several years of work experience.
• Strong organizational skills, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and take direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience conducting health related research or training in research design and implementation relevant to public health.
• Prior research experience or postdoctoral fellowship in a relevant field to KPWHRI’s research, such as Epidemiology, Behavioral Science, Anthropology, etc.
• Doctorate degree in a relevant field to KPWHRI’s research, such as Epidemiology, Behavioral Science, Anthropology, etc.

For more information, view the job posting.