Research Assistant III Non-Lab

Position Title: Research Assistant III Non-Lab (Research Project and Data Assistant)

Job Description
Job Summary:
The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies.
The HCPDS is seeking a full-time, experienced Research Assistant (RA) to support our field-based activities for its NIH-funded study, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the heath and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Process (e.g., receiving electronically collected data), organize (e.g., merging and creating analytic datasets), summarize (e.g., generating summary statistics using Stata or similar software), and analyze data (e.g., conducting basic regression analyses using Stata or similar software)
* Support tracking of HAALSA and HAALSA-HCAP project fieldwork progress, helping to ensure benchmarks are met and timelines are followed.
* Assist with the setup and maintenance of logistical aspects of the projects (e.g., study protocol training, document management, and data collection systems).
* Support training of the field-based study team, including preparing training materials, organizing study binders, and assisting with evaluation of field staff prior to fieldwork.
* Follow and help implement standard operating procedure (SOP) documents to ensure protocols are adhered to.
* Assist with the standardization and streamlining of data collection and reporting, ensuring data quality and adherence to ethical standards.
* Support with the preparation of HAALSA and HAALSA-HCAP datasets and codebooks for public release.
* Assist with scoring neuropsychological tests to evaluate reliability and create summary measures.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of May 31, 2027.
PLEASE NOTE: Short-listed candidates may be required to take a data skills assessment as well as submit a writing sample.
PLEASE NOTE: Possible travel to South Africa for short durations up to twice a year may be required.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
* 3+ years of related experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
* Experience with statistical software such as STATA (strongly preferred), R, SAS, and/or other statistical software is required
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
* Masters degree in global public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, psychology or related field strongly preferred
* Prior experience with clinical trials, observational studies; experience working on NIH studies; Institutional Review Board ethics protocol preparation; prior management and/or capacity building experience
* Experience in working with complex longitudinal data sets such as HRS, SHARE, and related international sister studies, etc.
* Demonstrable interest in research related to aging, learning and memory, or cognitive neuroscience.
* Previous experience with cognitive testing
* International work or travel experience
* Demonstrated experience with research project management
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

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PI284815354