Research Assistant

Job Summary

This Research Assistant will support a randomized controlled trial about the provision of guaranteed income (GI) and additional financial supports for low-income Black young adults (age 18-24) in San Francisco and Oakland. Envisioning a more equitable and healthy future requires bold interventions to address poverty, racism, the chronic stress built from poverty and racism, and the fundamental impacts on health. GI represents not only an opportunity to provide for basic needs while youth finish schooling or training programs, but also helps set a course for establishing a career at a critical time in development. Specifically, this phase of the trial will establish a comparison cohort of Black young adults from the same low-income census tracts as those who received GI. Participants in this phase of the trial will receive financial mentoring, but not GI. This will allow us to evaluate the impacts of GI and financial mentoring on participants' investment in their future (education, employment training), mental health (depressive symptoms and anxiety), and unmet mental health and sexual/reproductive health service needs.

The Research Assistant will apply their knowledge and skills to support study implementation, including: contributing to the design of participant engagement activities, materials, and procedures; connecting and collaborating with community agencies who serve Black youth and young adults; collecting and entering data; engaging and retaining participants. The position works with the study team, under the supervision of the Project Director, to ensure smooth study implementation, address and resolve any operational challenges, and maintain participant communication and retention over the course of the study. The position will apply cultural knowledge of diverse and low-income communities in Oakland and San Francisco, and/or lived experience relevant to key populations in the study, to increase participant engagement and retention in the study. This position requires some travel in the Bay Area.

• **NOTE: This a one year 75% (part-time) Hybrid contract role that requires some travel and field work in the Bay Area 2 - 3 days/week for the first 6 months.

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

The Division of Prevention Science is a leading force in prevention research innovation. We conduct transformative research, bridging communities and overcoming health inequities through high-impact prevention. The division was established within the Department of Medicine in 1991 and is the administrative home of the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), and the Prevention Research Center (PRC). The division is committed to advancing knowledge in prevention and has extensive expertise in social and behavioral research applied to prevention science and the development of effective prevention interventions across several disease domains. The research focus is risk behavior and reduction; epidemiology of the virus; evaluation of HIV testing procedures, demographic variables and sexual self-identification; and training for providers who care for HIV AIDS patients. While much of the work in DPS has traditionally focused on HIV/AIDS, many investigators are doing important work in other fields including cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental health, and substance abuse. The Division is composed of approximately 35 academics (faculty, fellows and specialists) and 45 non-academic staff who come from a variety of social, behavioral and policy science academic disciplines, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, epidemiology, history, political science, economics, demography, nursing, pharmacy and statistics.

The Division is home to three federally funded research centers that provide valuable infrastructure support: 1) The Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health; 2) The UCSF Prevention Research Center, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 3) three evaluation centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration; and 4) a newly-funded research coordinating center to reduce disparities in multiple chronic diseases, funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The Division is also home to the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health and over 100 active sponsored research projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and 1+ year(s) of related experience / or equivalent experience / training
• Experience working with underserved populations
• Proficient in communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Proficient in ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality
• Demonstrates ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates ability to analyze, research and synthesize large amounts of data with strong attention to detail
• Familiarity with public benefits, public housing, or other social services
• Demonstrates ability to analyze, research and synthesize large amounts of data with strong attention to detail
• Proficient in ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes
• Working knowledge of common organization- or research-specific and other computer application programs

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.