Research Associate IV (KPWHRI)

The Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) U19 is a newly funded five-year award to support a long-running epidemiologic cohort study of aging, brain health, and dementia. In this newly created position, we are seeking a senior-level Research Associate to provide strategic scientific leadership and administrative direction for ACT's research and data infrastructure. Preferred qualifications include senior-level leadership experience with applied knowledge of research consortia and a demonstrated ability to drive a complex research program with multiple projects and collaborators. Applicants should have excellent communication, interpersonal, and consensus-building skills. Topical expertise in aging/geriatrics expertise, especially Alzheimer's Disease/dementia, plus expertise in data management and electronic data collection strongly preferred. Applicants who represent the broad range of diversity and lived experiences in our communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Research Associate's (RA's) provide content specific scientific expertise (e.g., epi methods, qualitative or quantitative data analyses, intervention design and implementation, etc.) to support one or more scientific programs. RA's typically work in collaboration with other scientists (ie, RA's or scientific investigators), Project Managers, Programmers, biostatisticians and other research staff. The RA track is considered a faculty track, as distinct from other staff roles in the Institute which also directly or indirectly support the scientific programs. As such, RA's are subject to the same academic standards for hiring and promotion as other faculty which include consideration of time within rank, local and national scientific service, scientific reputation, one's role in generating and disseminating scientific findings, as well as one's overal skill competencies and annual performance. The RA track is a supporting faculty track distinct from the Scientific Investigator track, which is an independent scientific track. The RA IV position is the senior role within this career track. RA IV's work under the direction of one or more Scientific Investigators, but are expected to function largely independently on assigned tasks. The specific activities RA IV's participate in can be variable based on the needs of the projects and a person's skillset, but all are expected to (1) apply advanced research methods, as relevant to their area of expertise, to the projects they support, (2) participate in scientific writing (such as grant applications and scientific papers), and (3) participate in the dissemination of scientific findings to a national audience. RA IV's will spend more time in the latter two activities than more junior RA's. They are also expected to be nationally recognized for their scientific contributions to their field of study. RA IV's will also mentor less senior scientists and research staff.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Routine activities: RA IV's work under the supervision of one or more investigators to provide domain-specific scientific knowledge and research expertise (e.g., knowledge about epi methods, qualitative or quantitative data analyses, intervention design and implementation, etc.) to teh projects they support and the Institute, but are senior scientists in this career track and require minimal oversight. They are expected to attend faculty meetings, scientific seminars, and other faculty activities. RA IV's independently manage their current FTE/work demands and seek future collaborative work. RA IV's may receive approval to submit grants as the Principal Investigator (PI) and lead independent projects. With prior approval from institute leadership, RA IV's may supervise more junior RA's. RA IV's are expected to peer mentor other scientific colleagues.
- Scientific writing: RA IV's will draft significant portions of grants proposals and scientific papers, and are expected to serve as lead author on scientific papers and presentations. Annual performance will be judged in part on this productivity.
- Service: RA IV's are expected to engage in annual service including service to the organization (KPWHRI or KPWA), local research community (e.g., UW, FHCRC), and national organizations (e.g., professional societies, research funders). Appropriate scientific service includes peer mentoring, serving on committees, teaching, and professional consulting with KPWA leadership, peer review of scientific journals and peer review of research applications. Annual performance will be judged in part on participation in these activities.
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- Minimum eight (8) years of advanced research training and experience at the post-master's level.
- Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in a comparable role with a doctorate degree or twelve (12) years of experience in a comparable role with a master's degree.
Education
- Master's degree in a relevant field to KPWHRI's research, such as epidemiology, behavioral science, anthropology, etc.
License, Certification, Registration
- N/A
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to conduct specific activities within one's content domain without supervision.
- Research skills as appropriate to the needs of the study and project team, including ability to review and synthesize the scientific literature, and ability to conduct qualitative or quantitative analyses.
- Strong organizational skills, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work well in a team environment and take direction.
- Ability to supervise/mentor junior or mid-career scientists.
- May vary based on individual's professional training and research contributions while at KPWHRI by date of hire/transfer. For example, individuals providing intervention services must have appropriate training, certification or licensures to practice.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five (5) years of experience in a comparable faculty-level role or Doctorate and ten (10) years of experience in a comparable faculty-level role.
- Previous experience working as a senior supporting (ie, non-independent) research scientist.
- Doctorate degree in a relevant field to KPWHRI's research, such as epidemiology, behavioral science, anthropology, etc.
COMPANY: KAISER
TITLE: Research Associate IV (KPWHRI)
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington
REQNUMBER: 1020201
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, state and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran, or disability status.