Salary/Position Classification

• $64,800+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• Hybrid Work Availability:  Yes (requires some time on campus in Grand Forks ND)

Purpose of Position

The Research Coordinator position will provide research coordination and support to the National Resource Center on Native American Aging (NRCNAA) and related projects as assigned. The position reports to the NRCNAA Senior Research Analyst. This position is primarily grant-funded.

Duties & Responsibilities

1.  Provide coordination for American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) aging-related core research activities.

• Coordinate efforts to define research goals, research design, and deliverables for research projects at the tribal, state, regional, and national levels.
  • Prioritize research needs and coordinate the development and execution of research-oriented work plans.
  • Prioritize projects for members of the AI/AN/NH research team. 
  • Map out project flow for research projects including start and end dates, and milestone.
  • Maintain a database of all funded research projects.
  • Maintain records of all active and completed research projects.
• Develop and recommend strategies to ensure consistency and compliance with UND research policies, directives, and guidelines.
  • Assist in developing and maintaining a research policy framework guidance, which includes developing and implementing related internal policies and procedures.
• Facilitate data collection and be involved in the development of research protocols that may utilize qualitative, quantitative, and/or Indigenous research methodologies.
  • Coordinate recruitment of participants for research projects.
  • Coordinate onsite and virtual data collection for surveys, focus groups, listening sessions, key informant interviews, and similar.
  • Assist in development of research questions for surveys, focus groups, listening sessions, key informant interviews, and similar.
  • Synthesize data on tribal, urban, local, regional, and national levels that impact Indigenous communities to communicate outcomes in collaboration with research team.  
• Establish and lead a framework for collaborations with Indigenous communities, designing policies and workflows that uphold research integrity and are attuned to an Indigenous community-focused approach.
  • Prepare research strategies to meet the research needs of Indigenous community partners.
  • Coordinate meetings among community, staff, research teams, support staff for research related topics, education and training, projects, and technical assistance requests from research partners.
• Support grant writing efforts related to research project proposals.
• Coordinate special projects related to program research objectives.

2.  Lead compliance of research protocols related to the American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) populations for research related projects and activities.

• Lead the completion of university IRB applications for existing and new research projects.
• Lead the completion and navigation of Tribal IRB/RRB applications and/or documents required by Tribal sovereign nations for permissions and approval to conduct research and data collection.
• Facilitate communications and adhere to protocols for research related to AI/AN/NH populations with governing bodies and research approval boards (e.g. Indian Health Service IRBs, Tribal IRBs, Tribal Council leadership, Memorandum of Understanding, Data Sharing, Data Transfer agreements, etc.) living in both tribal, rural, and urban communities.
• Work to coordinate, execute, and develop research protocols and data collection tools that meet the compliance of tribal and urban organization partners in conducting culturally appropriate research with Native populations.
• Evaluate ongoing research projects to ensure compliance with university, tribal, urban, IHS, and other permissions and approvals required for new and continued research projects.
• Research and implement Indigenous data sovereignty guidelines for research related projects.
• Coordinate research training for the Native aging research team and related project staff.

3.  Information dissemination and expansion of knowledge base. 

• Prepare written conclusions based on data findings.
• Correspond with Native Elder serving partners and stakeholders.
• Strengthen relations with Native Aging partners and stakeholders.
• Public speaking (presentations, posters, webinars, etc.)
• Dissemination of information to Native Elder serving partners and stakeholders.
• Keep current on Native Aging topics.

4.  Create data visualization products.

• Analyze data and interpret findings to create data visualization products (charts, tables, graphs, maps, infographics, dashboards, and similar).
• Create data visualization products using Creative Cloud application software.
• Keep current on training for creating data visualization products (Illustrator, In-Design, and similar).

Required Competencies

• Strong understanding of the principles of Indigenous data sovereignty, data governance, and confidentiality.
• Ability to author Native aging related briefs, reports, or other relevant research-related publications.
• Familiarity with Native aging issues and topics.
• Cultural competency in working with Indigenous populations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, critical thinking, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in quantitative analysis using SPSS or other statistical software.
• Familiar with listening sessions, focus groups, and/or focus groups related to qualitative research.
• Knowledge of Social and Indigenous determinants of health.
• Good organization skills, ability to multi-task, and work as part of a team.
• Ability to travel occasionally to national, regional, or local events/meetings.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working on projects related to research, research coordination, and compliance.  Applicant must provide statement that substantiates 5-years of related experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian related research.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer degree in public health, health policy, statistics, analytics, or quantitative social science/educational research related field.
• Experience with university, tribal, Indian Health Service regional, and/or national institutional research boards/research review boards.
• Experience working with complex data sets and preparing written conclusions based on data findings (i.e. both quantitative and qualitative data).
• History of successful collaboration with Indigenous communities.

To Apply

Submit cover letter, resume, and must include a statement that substantiates 5-years of experience working on projects related to research, research coordination, and compliance.