Research Assistant Position with the Quality for All Lab
The Quality for All (Q4A) Lab at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences aims to address inequities in health and health care through our research. Our current studies include examining how Medicaid policies impact healthcare access and effectiveness for children with asthma and behavioral health conditions in Massachusetts, care transitions for women with hypertensive disease during pregnancy, and implementation of a novel depression treatment program in dialysis units. We are developing research proposals in several other areas as well, all focused on health equity for marginalized populations.
Undergraduate students are integral members of our team, gaining hands-on experience as research assistants while contributing directly to our ongoing studies. We are seeking undergraduate research assistants to start working with the lab in the Fall semester. Responsibilities for this position include:
- Data collection, analysis, and dissemination for active research projects
- Provide support for and lead semi-structured interviews with patients and healthcare providers
- Code qualitative interviews and field notes as assigned
- Document data analysis activities, including maintaining audit trail and codebook, overseeing memos and coding processes, and taking notes
- Learn how to prepare data for dissemination (e.g., abstract writing, poster presentations, manuscript preparation)
- Communication and teamwork
- Maintain regular communication with lab staff through emails and meetings
- Attend and participate in a weekly, in-person lab meeting
- Participate in team meetings, take notes, and track project projects and deadlines
- Correspond with project co-investigators, collaborators, research subjects, and community partners as needed
- Support grant proposal development
- Conduct literature reviews or other document collection as needed
- Other duties as assigned – there may be other areas where the RA can support active and prospective projects within the Quality 4 All Lab, including but not limited to conducting web research to support projects, reviewing written materials, and scheduling data collection activities.
All students start with a semester-long apprenticeship, in which they participate on a volunteer basis. This apprenticeship is used to familiarize students with lab processes and procedures, as well as introduce our active projects. During this time, we expect students to commit 6-8 hours to the lab each week. After the apprenticeship, we offer compensation through credit hours or a paid hourly wage, and students can work up to 10 hours per week.
To apply for the Undergraduate Research Assistant position, please write a 300-word essay describing your interest in the lab, namely why you wish to join our team and how our work might best facilitate your academic and career goals. Please upload your resume/CV with your essay.
A research assistantship with the Q4A lab provides the opportunity for students to apply classroom understandings of health equity to research tailored to systemic change. As such, this position is ideal for students interested in deepening their understanding of health equity, creating a bridge between classroom learning and practical application, and gaining a foundation in health policy research.
After graduating, Q4A lab alumni have gone on to work in clinical and non-profit-based research leadership positions, further their education in medical school and/or master's programs, and work for state government divisions, namely in public health. The Q4A lab team aims to support RAs in their post-graduate aspirations in whatever way necessary.