Research Specialist - CHDR

The University of Wisconsin's Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR) seeks a research assistant who is passionate about using research to improve the health of older adults to join our team. Our research is dedicated to improving how patients and their healthcare providers communicate about cognitive and memory problems, to help older adults get the diagnosis and treatments they need sooner. You will have the opportunity to be involved in a number of research activities such as participant screening, interacting with clinical staff, conducting interviews with participants, developing interview and focus group session guides, analyzing data, managing research processes and protocols, as well as broader strategic initiatives including developing research processes and building academic and community partnerships. You will work closely with the principal investigator (Dr. Fred Ketchum) on these mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) research projects and be based in the Center for Health Disparities Research, which is a vibrant, interdisciplinary, center dedicated to identifying and eliminating disparities in healthcare.

• This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

• Terminal (24) month appointment

• This position has the possibility to be converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

• This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills and be able to work independently.

• Must be dependable, with superb written and oral communication skills.

• Should demonstrate evidence of being a quick learner and be motivated to develop new skills.

• A position commitment of at least two years is desired.

• Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers

• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences

• Performs literature reviews and writes reports

• Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results

• Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials

• Provides administrative research support by preparing grant applications and serving as a point of contact to share research procedures and expectation with clinical research participants and staff, and preparing materials for research team meetings

School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Health Disparities Research, Dr. Fred Ketchum's lab -Cognitive Health Communication and Ethics Research Core

CHDR is a dynamic, growing, and multidisciplinary Center housed within the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). Broadly, CHDR focuses on mechanisms of health disparities - with a particular focus on the social exposome and its relationship to health. CHDR is the home to the team that refined and curates the Area Deprivation Index and its data democratization portal, the Neighborhood Atlas. CHDR is also home to the Neighborhoods Study, an NIH funded national initiative to examine the adverse social exposome's impact on neuropathology and brain health biomarkers. CHDR investigators represent all areas of the translational research spectrum, from basic science to community participatory research. CHDR also has strong relationships with local, state and federal government, non-profit organizations, and industry entities.

• The expected salary range for this position is $51,000 up to $57,000 for highly experienced candidates and actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.

• Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

• Computer experience with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and/or other database management software.

• Coursework or research experience with qualitative research methods.

• Minimum one year of professional experience involving qualitative research.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with qualitative data management software such as NVivo, Dedoose, or ATLAS.ti.

• Basic experience with quantitative methods, including experience with Qualtrics, REDCap, or similar programs.

• Basic experience with submissions to institutional review boards (IRB).

• Interest or experience in geriatrics or primary care, communication with patients, or medical decision-making.

Education:

Bachelor's degree preferred

Preferred focus in social sciences (e.g. communication, education, anthropology, sociology, psychology)

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* Cover letter
* Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience align with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

Kim McFarlane, kmmcfarlane@wisc.edu

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