San Diego State University Research Foundation


Research Specialist II

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-20653
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research/Project
Psychology Lab

Overview

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

Dr. Keith Horvath in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University is seeking one fulltime Research Specialist II position for a newly-funded five year study to test in intervention to improve pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence among young adults at risk for HIV. The intervention includes a mobile application and coaching sessions, and will be delivered remotely to young adults in the United States. More information about the study can be found here: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/n75BeROqKESBgt3WRsnkiA/project-details/….

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Research Specialist II position will oversee the daily operations of activities, including intervention content creation, coordinating with outside stakeholders, study implementation, assisting with regulatory compliance (e.g., yearly reporting, IRB reporting), and other responsibilities as assigned.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day oversight of the project: 85%

• Regularly communicating with the PIs and study staff regarding study progress
• Attending weekly study team meetings
• Creating intervention content for the mobile application and coaching sessions
• Coordinating the development of the mobile application
• Conducting participant study visits and payments
• Communicating with participants regarding study activities
• Tracking and managing study site activities and timelines
• Coordinating the development and programming of study measures
• Other study activities as needed
• Managing study-related payments and invoices

Regulatory compliance and reporting: 15%

• Assisting with grant progress reports
• Assisting the PIs in the creation and maintenance of study protocols
• Maintaining IRB approvals
• Maintaining the data sharing and management plan

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to interact effectively with internal and external colleagues and study participants
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display organization, set and meet deadlines, display detail orientation, possess good judgment and common sense
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments with or without detailed instructions
• Knowledge of health research and research methods
• Knowledge of, and a high level of cultural sensitivity to, young adults at risk for HIV
• Ability to create and manage intervention content for HIV prevention trials
• Knowledge of computers, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, e-mail, and internet
• Ability to complete all necessary human subjects and project-related trainings
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures

Education & Experience:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in technical research or statistical work experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Science, Public Health or related area
• Knowledge of grant proposal, summary reports and progress reports
• Proficiency with online survey (e.g, Qualtrics) and participant management (e.g., RedCap) tools
• Proficiency and demonstrated skills with one or more statistical software packages (SPSS, R, Stata)

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.

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