Research Associate-Department of Otolaryngology CI Lab
University of Iowa

The department of Otolaryngology at the University of Iowa Health Care is seeking a Research Associate. This role contributes to a pioneering project exploring cognitive and psychosocial functioning and quality of life in adult cochlear implant users. Collaborating with experts from various fields, including otolaryngology, neuropsychology, communication science, and cognitive neuroscience, you will play a crucial role in identifying real-world listening challenges and predictors of listening success and quality of life. Your role is dynamic and impactful, engaging participants and ensuring the research process runs smoothly. This includes:

1. Participant Engagement and Coordination: Recruit and organize participants.

2. Participant Guidance: Guide participants through language tasks, neuropsychological assessments, hearing evaluations, and smartphone technology for real-world data gathering using innovative ecological momentary assessments (EMA)

3. Scoring and Data Management: Accurately score and manage data.

4. Paperwork: Oversee and navigate the essential regulatory paperwork

5. Collaborator: Work within the diverse, multidisciplinary study team

BASIC FUNCTION

Provide support for research by conducting experiments, collecting, scoring, and analyzing data. Will perform operational duties associated with the human subject research. Key areas of responsibilities include conducting research activities/experiments, collecting, and scoring data, helping preparing progress reports, contributing to manuscripts/publications, subject scheduling management, database entry with limited supervision/staffing.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Research:

Perform research activities in a specialized area. Research literature as requested. Adapt and perform protocols from the literature. Critically review literature for the purposes of furthering the research and developing new hypotheses in conjunction with other investigators.

Research and train for new test administration, as requested.

Consent subjects for study participation

Highlight exceptional people skills, fostering strong relationships with our diverse research team including study investigators, clinical audiologists, clerks, staff, students, and fellow research personnel

Lead participant recruitment efforts, engaging prospective study participants, ensuring protocol compliance, highlight your communication skills by developing rapid rapport, keep in telephone and email contact with participants when needed, and manage their follow-up visits

Administer and score various research measures (including cognitive, language, psychosocial and smartphone-administered questionnaires), organize and maintain study records alongside other research staff

Conduct literature searches and prepare data reports for discussion with study investigators.

Occasional off-campus travel to conduct research/recruitment efforts.

Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations:

Perform basic and complex procedures and techniques as outlined in research protocol, assure fidelity to protocols, may propose modifications to protocols and/or assist in the design of research protocols. Design portions of research plan. Monitor, test, and evaluate current procedures. Identify and adhere to Quality Assurance practices to maintain validity and integrity of research data. Apply new methods/theories.

Perform basic and complex cognitive, psychosocial, and subjective tests and questionnaires outlined in research protocol; assure fidelity to protocols; propose modifications to protocols and/or assist in the design of experiment protocols.

Monitor, test and evaluate current procedures.

Identify and adhere to Quality Assurance practices to maintain validity and integrity of research data.

Apply new methods/theories.

Administrative and Project Management:

Make recommendations regarding the validity of research subjects and data. Submit routine IRB, ACURF, or similar protocol submissions, if applicable. Responsible for following guidelines and maintaining required documentation in support of safety programs.

Make recommendations regarding the validity of research subjects and data.

Assist in preparing vital Institutional Review Board documents, track project progress, and contribute to the technical writing of research findings

Assist in the preparation and design of manuals, questionnaires, forms, publications, and presentations

Present valuable results at various meetings, including local and national meetings, demonstrating your dedication to collaborative success

Facilities and Equipment Management:

Coordinate and manage laboratory data collection materials and facilities.

Assist in managing lab equipment including smartphones and ear-level microphones and lab equipment

Test new equipment, troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment failures and perform repairs. Coordinate software licenses as necessary to complete projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision is received from a designated official.

Provide ongoing training on basic and new lab techniques and protocols for employees. Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling to track progress and assure outcomes are achieved. May participate in hiring staff and managing the performance of staff to assure staff are compliant with UI policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Functional supervision may be exercised over support staff and students.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in psychology, speech and hearing or communication science, linguistics, neuroscience, cognitive science, or related field is required.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills is required.

• Evidence of strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills is required.

• Proficiency in word processing, database management, and basic statistics is required.

• At least 2 years of experience carrying out research protocols is required

• Experience administering neurological cognitive tests and neuropsychological questionnaires to assess study participants' cognitive function are desirable.

• Understanding of research conduct as outlined in a research protocol is desirable.

• Experience working with a population with hearing impairment is desirable.

• Knowledge of cochlear implants is desirable.

• Previous experience in research protocols with human subjects is desirable.

Position and Application Details

Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and education/credential verification. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

For additional questions, please contact Lydia Messer at lydia-messer@uiowa.edu

Benefits Highlights

• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
• The University of Iowa offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation and paid sick leave. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: Benefits | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Research Associate
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Compensation

• Pay Level: 4A

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Lydia Messer
• Contact Email: lydia-messer@uiowa.edu

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