Research Assistant - STRIPE Lab

About the Job

The Social Team Research in Promoting Health Equity (STRIPE) Lab in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychology seeks to hire a 25%-time Research Assistant (8351SM: Research Professional 1-Social Science Multidiscipline) into a Civil Service, continuous appointment, responsible for supporting the conduct of psychological research affiliated with the lab.

This position is contingent upon the availability of work and funds for the position and on the acceptability of your performance.

The Research Assistant will work as part of a team to refine research protocols, carry out grant-related research activities, and work closely with undergraduate and graduate student research assistants.

The STRIPE Lab Research Assistant will report to the Principal Investigator of STRIPE Lab for in-person work, performed primarily at Elliott Hall.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience.

Job duties or responsibilities of this position:

• Directed Research (90%)

• Conduct in-depth qualitative interviews and engage in qualitative coding and data analysis

• Review relevant scientific literature and present periodically in meetings or in writing

• Support other ongoing, PI-led projects in the lab through study design, data collection, project planning and completion, statistical analysis, and writing and submitting research products (e.g., literature reviews, manuscript development, grant proposal reviewing/editing), with potential for independent research based on aligned interests

• Lab Management and Supervision (10%)

• Assist in the management of institutional review board, federal, and other regulatory compliance correspondence

• Support lab meeting structure by occasionally leading specific trainings and didactic sessions during lab meetings

• Meet regularly with supervisor to discuss progress, facilitators and barriers to project completion

Qualifications

Required qualifications for this position:

• BA/BS in Psychology or a related area, or a combination of education and experience equal to 4 years
• Experience in the conduct of psychological research, including data collection, analysis, and scientific writing
• A demonstrated capacity for conducting in-depth interviews and performing structured research-related work assignments following established procedures and guidelines under supervision, such as qualitative and quantitative data analyses
• Experience working with underserved populations
• Strong organizational capacities with great attention to detail and emphasis on timeliness
• Proficiency in common computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheets
• Experience with web-based applications, including website management

Preferred qualifications for this position:

• Coursework in counseling psychology, health psychology, public health, or gender and women's studies;
• Experience conducting and analyzing qualitative in-depth interviews in previous supervised or independent research.

About the Department

STRIPE Lab:

Dr. Ertls Social Team Research in Promoting Health Equity Lab is a research laboratory within the Department of Psychology, a division of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. Research in the STRIPE Lab focuses on preventing health risk behaviors, promoting health equity, and addressing health disparities at the intersections of mental health, substance use, and sexual health. We study social, cultural, and structural determinants associated with health risk behaviors and health disparities among marginalized populations and identify modifiable factors that may inform culturally adapted prevention and intervention efforts. We aim to use community-based methods and approach research from a social justice lens to promote health and well-being among diverse populations of women and young adults.

The STRIPE lab is running several studies related to social, cultural, and structural determinants of health and well-being and addressing health disparities among marginalized and minoritized populations. One main project is related to the development and initial testing of a new intervention to address sexual dysfunction in women taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The Research Assistant will assist with recruitment, data collection, data management and preparation, qualitative coding and data analysis, participant retention in a subsequent pilot trial to test the tailored intervention, literature reviews, manuscript preparation, and development of project-related documents (e.g., tables, figures, references, presentations).

This position is ideal for a college graduate interested in counseling psychology and/or social and health psychology research who wants to grow their career and professional development related to research. The successful applicant will join an active laboratory with a team of graduate and undergraduate researchers addressing a broad array of questions of interest to counseling psychology. You will have the opportunity to learn advanced techniques, publish scientific papers, attend conferences, and build your network as a scholar.

We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $23.81 - $25.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.