Research Assistant

The Opportunity:

The Sexual Health Equity and Empowerment Research (SHEER) Lab, directed by Dr. Makella S. Coudray in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, conducts interdisciplinary, community-engaged research focused on advancing sexual and reproductive health. The lab's work centers on understanding and addressing factors that influence HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), reproductive health, and access to sexual health services. Through rigorous epidemiologic, behavioral, and implementation research, the SHEER Lab develops and evaluates evidence-informed strategies to improve sexual health outcomes and strengthen prevention efforts among populations that have historically experienced barriers to care. The lab collaborates closely with community partners to ensure research is responsive to community priorities and supports lasting improvements in sexual and reproductive health.

Classification Title: OPS Sponsored Projects Services

Responsibilities:

• Conduct participant screening and eligibility assessments.

• Recruit and engage study participants through approved research protocols.

• Administer quantitative surveys and structured research interviews.

• Schedule participant visits and maintain communication throughout study activities.

• Prepare, package, and mail study materials and biological sampling kits.

• Track kit distribution, returns, and participant follow-up activities.

• Manage study data in REDCap, including data entry, quality assurance, database maintenance, and reporting.

• Assist with Institutional Review Board (IRB) activities for research studies, including preparing submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, study documentation, and maintaining regulatory records.

• Maintain accurate study files and ensure compliance with research and regulatory requirements.

• Conduct literature reviews and assist with evidence synthesis related to sexual and reproductive health research.

• Assist with data cleaning and preliminary quantitative analyses.

• Attend research team meetings and contribute to study planning and implementation.

• Support dissemination activities, including manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and research reports.

• Perform other research-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 0+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Biology, Nursing, Social Work, or a related field.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Prior experience working on sexual health, reproductive health, HIV/STI prevention, community-based, clinical, or public health research projects.

• Experience recruiting and interacting with research participants.

• Familiarity with REDCap and electronic research data management systems.

• Experience conducting surveys, interviews, or participant-centered data collection activities.

• Experience supporting IRB submissions, regulatory documentation, or human subjects research.

• Experience conducting literature reviews and synthesizing scientific evidence.

• Coursework or training in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, psychology, sociology, or research methods.

• Experience with data management and quantitative analysis.

The most successful candidates may possess the following qualities:

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

• Interest in graduate training, public health research, medicine, or a research-focused career.

• Interest in contributing to peer-reviewed publications and strengthening a scholarly portfolio through research dissemination.

• Knowledge of HIV prevention, STI epidemiology, sexual and reproductive health, implementation science, or related public health topics.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Hours of Work

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Hourly Rate

Job Posting End Date

Benefits Eligibility

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email onac@ucf.edu.