Position Type: 100%-50% (depending on the candidate)

Location: New York Area (hybrid), global (willingness to travel required)

Summary:

The team at City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health and the Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health is leading a pioneering research initiative, the “Improving Capacity to Consent to Sensitive Biomedical Research among Adolescents in Rakai Uganda (ICARE)” project. We are seeking a highly skilled and dedicated individual to fill the role of Qualitative Research Scientist and Project Director. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the developmentally tailored HIV prevention and care research for adolescents and young adults in Rakai, Uganda, leveraging The Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS). Willingness to travel to Uganda with the team at least once and up to three times a year is preferred.

Project Overview:

The ICARE project aims to

• Test adolescent capacity to consent to biomedical research.
• Identify differences in developmental decision-making among adolescents at three stages (early, middle, and late).
• Characterize eligibility for, beliefs about, and interest in oral and injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
• Construct a digital toolkit for including adolescents in biomedical research.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage systematic qualitative and mixed methods research within the ICARE project.
• Collaborate and coordinate with ICARE team colleagues in Uganda and at Columbia University.
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Design and implement qualitative research methodologies to understand adolescent decision-making and capacity to consent.
• Oversee the development and execution of project plans, ensuring alignment with research goals and ethical standards.
• Design interviews to gather insights on adolescent perceptions of biomedical research and HIV prevention tools.
• Analyze and interpret qualitative data to contribute meaningful insights to the ICARE project.
• Develop reports and manuscripts for publication.

Qualifications:

• In-progress or completed Master’s or PhD degree in Social Sciences.
• 2 to 4 years of relevant research experience.
• Proven experience in qualitative research methods, particularly in sensitive topics.
• Strong project management skills, with a focus on ethical research practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with adolescents and diverse stakeholders in cross-cultural settings.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Visa sponsorship is available to candidates who are already physically located within the United States.  Remote work is possible, but candidate should be able to travel to NYC frequently.

Preferred:

• Based in New York or Northeast of the US.
• Willingness to travel to Uganda approximately 2 times per year (~10-14 days per trip).
• Expertise in aspects of HIV prevention research, adolescent health and development, bioethics.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their CV, a cover letter, and any relevant portfolio or work samples by January 25, 2024. Please ensure to read the full details attached before applying.