The YR2 Lab is hiring a full-time Research Associate to start as early as August 2025. See additional details below. Please email glennlab@odu.edu with questions.
The ODU Research Foundation is seeking a Research Associate to perform work under the Youth Risk & Resilience Laboratory (Director: Dr. Cassie Glenn) at Old Dominion University. The Research Associate will assist with several multi-site projects (funded by the National Institute of Mental Health) focused on understanding short-term risk and treatment for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth. For these projects, preadolescents and adolescents will be recruited following discharge from acute psychiatric hospitalization for suicide risk. In several projects (R01MH124899; R21MH135493; R01MH137793), youth and their caregivers will complete daily smartphone-based surveys (ecological momentary assessment) and youth also will wear a Fitbit-like device to measure sleep patterns for four weeks. One study also involves assessment of social media use (R21MH135493). In another project, adolescents will complete a brief (6-week) digital version of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I), along with intensive longitudinal assessments (ecological momentary assessment via smartphone and Fitbit-like device to measure sleep).
The Research Associate will gain experience with all aspects of the research process, including potential opportunities to present data at psychology conferences and to assist with manuscript preparation. The position will be available in August 2025. A one-year commitment is required. This position is ideal for individuals looking for clinical research experience before pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology or related field. Information about the Youth Risk & Resilience Laboratory can be found here: sites.wp.odu.edu/yr2lab/.
Primary responsibilities include:
• Youth and caregiver recruitment, screening, scheduling, and retention in study.
• Administering and scoring clinical (diagnostic) interviews, and other research protocol components, with youth and their caregivers.
• Managing administrative duties for grant-funded projects, including preparing study materials, monitoring data entry, preparing and cleaning data, paying participants, and other research administrative duties.
• Preparing and maintaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols related to the project.
• Training and supervising undergraduate research assistants to assist with the project.
• Coordinating local and multi-site research team meetings.
• Conducting literature reviews and assisting with manuscript preparation.
• Other duties as assigned.
The following skills and experiences are required:
• Background in psychology or a related field (B.A., B.S., or equivalent).
• Previous research experience (at least 1 year), which can occur while receiving B.A./B.S.
• Previous clinically relevant experience (at least 1 year), which can occur while receiving B.A./B.S.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to maintain excellent rapport with youth and their families.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google docs/calendar.
• Schedule flexibility: The position is full-time (40 hours per week). The schedule will vary week to week depending on participant availability for research sessions and will sometimes include evenings and weekends (average 2 evenings per week and 2 weekend days per month).
The following skills will confer an advantage, but are not necessary to receive consideration:
• Prior experience working with youth and their families in experimental or clinical settings.
• Clinical interviewing experience.
• Preparing and maintaining research protocols.
• Management of grant-funded research projects.
• Familiarity with programming and statistical packages (e.g., R, SPSS).
• Experience with ecological momentary assessment apps (e.g., MetricWire) or wearable sensors (e.g., Actiwatch).
Please visit ODU Research Foundation website (researchfoundation.odu.edu) or follow the link for position #25-049. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. AA/EOE/M/F/Disability/VETS/Drug Free
The organization is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer (AA/EOE/M/F/Disability/VETS/Drug-Free Workplace). We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions — including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, and promotion — are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Affirmative action efforts are conducted consistent with applicable laws to promote equal opportunity in employment and advancement.