Research Assistant III

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $18.46 - Midpoint: $22.16 (Hourly N4)

Department/Organization: 212701 - Special Education

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy.

Job Summary: The Research Assistant III assists with research work tasks of higher-complexity in support of a research project under minimal supervision. May assist with ordering equipment and supplies, set up of equipment, performing experiments, monitoring results, data collection, preparation of support materials, etc. May supervise students and/or other support workers assigned to the research project.

Additional Department Summary: The University of Alabama College of Education, Department of Special Education seeks two Research Coordinators for Project LIFT Recruitment and Retention is embarking on a research opportunity, Project LIFT: Literacy Improvement through Focused Tutoring, a five-year Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Mid-Phase grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Project LIFT will scale Friends on the Block (FOTB), an evidence-based early literacy intervention, in primarily rural elementary schools across Alabama. This project will serve struggling K–12 readers, including students with disabilities, across three implementation cohorts.

This position serves as one of the primary points of contact for participating districts and schools and for the individual educators, staff, and families engaged in the study. Ensures that recruitment, consent, communication, and retention activities are completed on schedule and in compliance with University, IRB, and federal requirements. Supports the research process through relationship management and administrative coordination for the project.

Required Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of research support experience; OR associate's degree and two (2) years of research support experience; OR bachelor's degree or higher and some research support experience.

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Must have valid U.S. driver's license. Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies. Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.

Skills and Knowledge: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build effective, trust-based relationships with school leaders, teachers, caregivers, and project partners. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to manage schedules, contacts, and tracking systems for multiple stakeholders. Familiarity with rural Alabama school districts, the Alabama Literacy Act, or the Alabama educational context. Ability to work independently, using sound judgment and solid decision-making skills to solve problems and work through barriers that may affect recruitment progress or retention. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and comfort using cloud-based file sharing systems (SharePoint, Box, or OneDrive). Ability to travel regularly to consortium districts and schools across rural Alabama. Ability to maintain confidentiality of participant information in compliance with IRB, FERPA, and federal human subjects protection requirements.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Public Health, Communications, or a related field. Project or program coordination experience in an education, research, or K-12 school setting. Experience recruiting and retaining participants in a federally funded education or health research study (e.g., IES, EIR, OSEP, NIH, NSF). Experience coordinating informed consent and child assent procedures. K-12 teaching, school leadership, MTSS or reading coach, school counselor, paraprofessional, or educational service delivery experience. Experience with Qualtrics or similar survey and participant management platforms and implementing human subjects protection processes. Experience with the science of reading, high-impact tutoring, early literacy interventions, or MTSS. Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.