This Staff Associate II position provides research support as a Field Coordinator to two data collection projects that are part of the Survey of Parents and Families, a multigenerational, longitudinal cohort study of family life, health, and wellbeing. These projects conduct surveys with young adults who have children, collect biological specimens from eligible study participants and their children and partners, and conduct virtual educational and psychological assessments with young children. These projects are led by Dr. Julien Teitler.
The Staff Associate II will have primary responsibility for implementing and coordinating survey fieldwork and biosample collection. The incumbent will monitor field progress, identify barriers to study participation, and work with study investigators to improve response rates. Responsibilities also include using specialized software for data management and survey data collection (REDCap and Voxco) and preparing and documenting the resulting data files for archiving at the main study office.
This position supervises student research assistants.
- Conduct fieldwork for FF projects (50%)
Using REDCap, Voxco, and Stata software, the incumbent will coordinate participant recruitment for both FF projects. The incumbent will act with considerable discretion, making independent decisions about the timing and frequency of follow-up, modes of contact with study participants, and determination of when to pause or stop fieldwork with cases.
- Coordinate biosample collection from FFG3 participants (30%)
The Staff Associate will coordinate the collection of biological samples from FFG3 participants. Utilizing considerable discretion and knowledge of biospecimen recruitment, the incumbent will obtain informed consent from participants for the collection of samples and coordinate logistics related to biosample kit shipments and return. The incumbent will maintain accurate tracking systems of participant follow-ups using REDCap software.
- Monitor and identify solutions to improve response and retention rates (10%)
The incumbent will provide regular reports on case disposition and survey and biosample completion, overall and by location and demographic categories. Drawing on knowledge of survey methodology, the incumbent will develop solutions to improve case retention rates.
- Ensure compliance with human subjects’ protection regulations (5%)
The incumbent will ensure that all project activities are conducted in compliance with IRB human subject protection regulations. The incumbent will communicate with the study team and IRB staff to resolve any complex IRB issues.
- Document the survey data collection and the resulting dataset (5%)
In collaboration with study investigators, the incumbent will describe the methodology used in data collection, document survey outcomes and final response rates, and define variables and response categories in the resulting dataset. Using data derived from Voxco and REDCap, format fieldwork records and contact information for archiving at the main FFCWS project office.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a social science or related discipline
Other Requirements
For candidates with BA, two to four years of work experience in an academic or survey research setting
Strong research, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills
Strong written and oral communication skills
Demonstrated teamwork experience
Experience with survey-based data collection
Supervisory experience
Strongly Preferred
Experience with data management or survey software such as Qualtrics, REDCap, or Voxco
Experience using Stata
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
