Part-Time Research Support

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Biobehavioral Health is seeking applicants for a part-time Research Support Assistant position.

This Research Support position assists with implementing a behavioral intervention study aimed at increasing optimism among midlife adults. The role involves delivering intervention sessions via Zoom, recruiting and coordinating participants, collecting and managing data, and supporting day-to-day research activities under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and research staff.

The research assistant will support a pilot study housed in the Biobehavioral Health Department at Penn State University. The study evaluates a new mind-body intervention designed to foster optimism, consisting of three components: guided writing exercises, brief resistance training (air squats), and slow-paced breathing. The interventions are delivered remotely (via Zoom) for 30 minutes each day, five days a week, over a 4-week period for each participant. A primary focus of this role is to facilitate the Zoom sessions; therefore, candidates must be available for consistent 2-3 hour blocks each day (e.g., 5:00-8:00 p.m., Monday-Friday) and be willing to meet with participants occasionally on weekends.

SAMPLE WORK ACTIVITIES:

• •Deliver live, protocol-guided intervention sessions to participants via Zoom, including writing prompts, 2-minute air squats, and breathing exercises
• •Recruit, screen, and schedule participants according to IRB-approved procedures
• •Describe study goals, procedures, and privacy protections to participants; obtain informed consent as needed
• •Collect self-report survey data and manage wearable data (e.g., fitness tracker output)
• •Enter, clean, and organize participant data using REDCap or similar platforms
• •Monitor intervention fidelity and participant adherence; maintain detailed records
• •Attend weekly team meetings and contribute to study operations and troubleshooting
• •Assist with IRB documentation and compliance tracking
• •Perform other research-related activities as assigned by the Principal Investigator

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• •Interest in behavioral medicine and psychophysiology
• •Strong interpersonal skills, particularly in virtual/Zoom-based communication
• •Prior experience with participant-facing roles or data collection is preferred
• •Reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail are essential

Compensation:

The starting rate for this job is $18/hr.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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