Visiting Research Specialist

Description:

Position Summary
The position will oversee HIV testing, blood specimen collection, and assist with data management for a national HIV survey in the Chicago metropolitan area that focuses on populations at risk for HIV infection, including persons who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and heterosexual persons who live in community areas disproportionately impacted by HIV. The primary focus of this position will be to work jointly with the Field Coordinator to assist with formative research to garner community support, conduct staff training, oversee HIV testing and related blood specimen collection, and manage the reporting HIV test and other data to the CDC.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Gather qualitative data, including one-on-one and focus group interviews, and informal conversations with community members.
• Collaborate with the Project Director and Field Coordinator in preparing for survey operations.
• Analyze and evaluate research results to draft reports for the CDC.
• Building relationships with people who serve and are part of targeted communities.
• Assist with setting up HIV testing and specimen collection operations (familiarization with various HIV testing assays, tests results reporting procedures to the CDC, development of appropriate referrals resources, ordering and managing testing materials, etc.).
• Assist with the on-boarding of part-time researchers and interns.
• Participate in and lead HIV counseling and testing data collection.
• Conduct brief HIV risk assessment with survey participants as part of HIV test procedure.
• Prepare lab space at data collection locations.
• Complete detailed HIV specimen collection records.
• Maintain HIV counseling and testing materials.
• Participate in NHBS trainings and required public health trainings; and
• Provide back-up interviews during unscheduled staff absence.
• Assist Field Coordinator with project developments on an ongoing basis and during absence.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field required.
A minimum of 3 years related research experience.
Possesses and applies comprehensive knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices and methods.



Preferred Qualifications

Enthusiasm for and ability to approach strangers and quickly build a connection;

Ability to strictly adhere to detailed survey research protocols;

Ability to comply with strict protocols for confidentiality;

Strong attention to detail;

Ability to establish trust with diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups;

Ability to work with the public and potentially de-escalate situations;

Strong oral and written communication skills; and

Ability to learn project-specific computer applications.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 33,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges.