Social Science Research Professional 1- Hybrid Opportunity
Stanford University
Social Science Research Professional 1- Hybrid Opportunity
This position has been deemed critical by the School of Humanities and Sciences Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze.
The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 24 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.
Department/Program Description:
The Department of Psychology is seeking a full-time Social Science Research Professional (SSRP) to assist with a project “Lifting the Bar”, aiming to unlock strong relationships with classroom teachers and other educators responsible for children’s academic development and growth.
Position Summary:
The Department of Psychology is seeking a Social Science Research Professional. The SSRP will work under general supervision and must possess and demonstrate a positive outlook on continuous process improvement efforts while maintaining a team-based and customer-focused mindset. It is critical that this position exhibit the abilities to practice sound judgment and decision-making, effective written & oral communication, strong attention to detail, and respectful relationship management. This position must also exhibit a strong desire to continuously learn new and unfamiliar business topics, policies, and procedures as they relate to Research – the ability to translate this information into operational successes will be critical.
This position will involve working with a team of researchers at Stanford and elsewhere, school district partners (including in Oakland, San Francisco, Milwaukee, and Chicago, among others), community-based organizations, and groups of youth on several strands of work from program development to evaluation of a randomized controlled trial. The SSRP will work under general supervision of the Project & Partnership Manager.
Previously, the research team, educators in the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center and OUSD, and youth in community and after-school organizations, developed a practice to orient both youth in reentry to school from juvenile detention and an educator in school of the youth’s choosing to a positive relationship with one another at the point of reentry. The practice involves a 45-minute one-on-one session with students in which they reflect on their own values and goals in school and hear, reflect on, and share stories from other students about the process of developing strong relationships with adults in school to realize these goals. A letter is then delivered to this educator including the student’s self-introduction. An initial randomized controlled trial found the critical letter reduced recidivism to juvenile detention through the next term by 40 percentage points, from 69% to 29%.
Currently, we are partnering with multiple school districts across the San Francisco Bay Area and Midwest to scale up our work with justice-involved youth. At the same time, we are working on adaptations of the activity to solicit greater support for diverse groups of students who face particular risks and stereotypes (including students in foster care, English Language Learners, and students struggling with substance abuse, among others).
The main duties of this position are to assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the intervention in collaboration with diverse external partners. The SSRP will work closely with the Project Manager to coordinate the daily operation of the project, the development of intervention and survey materials, the administration of interventions and surveys, and data collection. Once data are collected, the SSRP will lead data management, data cleaning, and support with analyses. The SSRP will also recruit and supervise a team of undergraduate Research Assistants, lead youth collaboration efforts, and support communication with external partners.
This individual will be an essential project member who must be able to learn and work independently yet collaborate effectively with co-workers and external research and implementation partners. Strong attention to detail and being able to check over your own work is critical. Previous experience working on a team in an academic environment is a plus. Knowledge of social and/or educational psychology is desired. Comfort with data management and basic quantitative and qualitative data analyses is preferable (e.g., R, SPSS, NVivo). Experience with Qualtrics is beneficial. The work will take place in a dynamic environment where specifications often change rapidly in response to demand, so the candidate must be able to be flexible in his or her role.
This is a one-year fixed term position with possibility of renewal. Great position for someone interested in grad school, but not necessary.
If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.
This is a 100% FTE, 1 (one) year fixed term, non-exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.
CORE DUTIES:
· Plan and perform research tasks requiring initiative and judgment by applying basic knowledge and understanding of scientific theory when precedents do not provide specific guidance. General instruction provided by the supervisor as needed. May interpret study results in collaboration with supervisor or PI.
· Participate in the development and administration of survey instruments and rating scales requiring judgment in applying non-routine procedures. Analyze and summarize results for review with supervisor. Audit the accuracy and validity of data
· Review and audit case report forms for completion and accuracy with source documents, and ensure compliance with research protocols.
· Identify, select, extract and summarize data and structured information. Present summary of findings to supervisor.
· Conduct literature searches, and write literature summaries and manuscripts, requiring preliminary judgments after the supervisor outlines conceptual approach.
· Build and organize data as requested by principal investigator or supervisor; use common statistical programs requiring the application of job control language in generating and organizing data.
· Adapt new, nonstandard methods outlined by supervisor in designing and evaluating phases of research projects, (i.e., educational materials, questionnaires, strategies for recruitment, data quality control procedures and processes). May follow up with Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure renewals are approved and completed, seeking guidance where necessary.
· Assist with development, communication and design of research findings to internal and external audiences, which may include web updates, social media, and/or white papers, for use in recruitment, educational, or awareness of programs, with guidance from supervisor.
· May orient and train new staff or students.
* Other duties may also be assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
● Bachelor of Arts degree in an applicable social science related field, or combination of education and relevant experience in an applicable social science.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
· General understanding of scientific theory and methods, typically gained through completion of an undergraduate degree in a related field.
· General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.
· Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
· Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.
· Effective oral and written communication skills.
· Ability to work with human study participants.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
● Comfort with data management and basic quantitative and qualitative analyses (e.g., R, SPSS, NVivo).
● Experience with Qualtrics
The expected pay range for this position is $31.40 to $38.89 per hour.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You:
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
● Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
● A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
● A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
● Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
● Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.