The Well-being for Early Learning (WELLab) at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development is seeking a Research Specialist Intermediate who will closely work on research projects focused on early care and education, early childhood workforce development, Head Start teachers’ well-being, and children’s school readiness. WELLab studies health and well-being of young children, families, and early childhood educators. We strive to better understand factors that are related to children’s development, particularly for children from low-resourced backgrounds. A large part of our work focuses on early childhood educators’ social-emotional well-being and how this is related to children’s social-emotional development. Our lab also works to promote equity in early childhood access and quality of educational and social services. WELLab maintains a number of collaborative partnerships with early childhood organizations in our community. In doing so, we hope to more effectively translate our research findings into valuable contributions towards improving the health, education, and wellbeing of children, caregivers, and communities. This role is open to a hybrid work schedule to be worked out between the candidate and Dr. Jeon.

This position’s primary focus will be overall project management, data collection and management, statistical analysis and interpretation, and research dissemination. This position will be primarily involved in the development and refinement process of a teacher well-being intervention that focuses on Head Start teachers’ holistic well-being. This position will also serve as a lab manager and support research efforts on various aspects of other lab projects. The primary research responsibilities of this position include working with a team of researchers and practitioners in coordination with a multitude of internal and external key stakeholders to conduct/stay abreast of research – both qualitative and quantitative, formative evaluation, and validation activities, and to disseminate findings in traditional and novel ways that inform the broader field, including practitioners and policymakers, on what practices to implement.

Candidates must have practical understanding of the field of early care and education, a commitment to promoting well-being of children, families, and early childhood educators, and a comfort-level with and open-mind toward innovative research ideas. Successful candidates will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, quantitative and qualitative analytic skills, collegiality, and a desire to do practical research and evaluation that makes a real difference in the field.

Role and Responsibilities

Specific duties may include but not limited to:

• providing project management for research or evaluation projects including establishing project timelines and ensuring timelines are met

• guiding team member tasks and activities on projects

  • Engaging in procurement for projects

  • coordinating various project meetings and record keeping

• participating in framing of research and evaluation questions

• participating in intervention development and refinement processes

• assisting in developing data collection protocols, tools and methodologies

• assisting with IRB submission and compliance

• recruiting and communicating with research participants (in-person and virtual)

• participating in conducting surveys, interviews and focus groups

• verifying the validity of data and managing/entering/cleaning data

• conducting statistical analyses and interpretation activities using quantitative data under guidance from the Principal Investigator and other senior research staff

• transcribing, coding and analyzing qualitative data

• presenting data in written reports, infographics, PowerPoint presentations and other dissemination methods under guidance from the Principal Investigator and other senior research staff

• contributing to writing of reports, publications, grant proposals, and dissemination materials

• participating in the development and presentation of results to key stakeholders, funders, and other audiences

• Supervising one or more research assistants, GRAs, and/or undergraduate/master’s students

• Executing research studies and making high level decisions about project direction and scope

• maintaining positive working relationships with clients, research participants, early childhood programs (e.g., Head Start programs), and other key project stakeholders

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree

Experience : At least 3 years of relevant experience. Master’s degree will be considered in lieu of experience

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of early care and education, particularly Head Start programs

• Experience in, understanding and meeting the needs of all learners and their staff and caregivers; including children living in poverty, and children from diverse cultures and backgrounds; with a preference for those who have also led/taught others in these practices

• Knowledge and skills in working with members of diverse cultures and backgrounds

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience designing and administering web-based surveys (Qualtrics) and synthesizing information from literature reviews

• Broad array of research and presentation skills, including data collection and management, statistical analysis (including proficiency in SPSS, STATA and/or other statistical analysis packages), proficiency with Microsoft Excel

• Experience coding and analyzing qualitative data

• Experience working with grant funded environments in government, nonprofit, or university settings

• Experience with data visualization software, such as Tableau

• Project management skills with multiple stakeholders and tasks involved

• Ability to tactfully hold project members and leadership accountable to deadlines

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize competing timelines and project deliverables

• Detail-oriented

• Ability to facilitate constructive interpersonal interaction and teamwork

• Strong critical thinking and solution-building skills

• Ability to work with teams and independently in a fast-paced environment and meet project deadlines

• Ability to work with members of diverse cultures and communities with respect and humility

Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Compensation Information

This is part-time (20 hours/week) position with an anticipated salary of $28,500, commensurate with education and experience, includes UVA benefits.

Application Instructions

Please apply through Workday , and search for Research Specialist Intermediate. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV or Resume

• Cover letter (optional but preferred)

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. Multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs.'

As part of the application process, applicants may be asked to describe how they address diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work.

The position will remain open until filled. Research Specialist Intermediate is an exempt level, benefitted position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This restricted position is a 12-month appointment, and continuation is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

For additional information about the position, please contact Lieny Jeon at ljeon@virginia.edu . For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks .

Click here for more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community .

In alignment with President Ryan’s UVA strategic plan, CASTL is committed to:

• Recruiting talented and diverse doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff;

• Recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and faculty are recognized as integral to the success of our work; and

• Promoting a culture of integrity, mutual respect, excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
  

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Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.