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Research Assistant or Associate Professor, RADAR Project

Project Description: The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) at Northwestern University, founded in 2015 on Northwestern’s Chicago campus, is the nation’s largest university-wide center focused exclusively on SGM health. It promotes innovative, multidisciplinary research to improve the health and wellbeing of SGM individuals and communities. The RADAR project is one of ISGMH’s largest projects and was launched in 2014 to provide critical insights into risk and protective factors for HIV and drug use and to identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation of an effective strategy to end the HIV epidemic. 

 

RADAR is a multilevel research study that incorporates biological, dyadic, and network components to provide an unprecedented view into HIV transmission epidemiology. Cohort members are assessed every six months on individual behavior and risk; relationship and sexual partner characteristics; and social, sexual, and drug-using networks. Members also receive multiple biological assessments (drug and STI testing and banking of plasma and DNA) at each six-month assessment. The RADAR cohort includes both HIV-positive and -negative participants, and it continues to build a repository of HIV sequence data and biospecimens from time points before, during, and after acute infection that can facilitate future proposals evaluating substance use, HIV risk, pathogenicity, and immunity. RADAR also supports numerous supplemental research studies nationwide.

 

For more information about the RADAR project, please visit: https://isgmh.northwestern.edu/our-research/projects-and-studies/radar/

 

Position Description: The RADAR Project at ISGMH in Northwestern University is seeking a Research Assistant or Associate Professor to support the Principal Investigator of RADAR, Dr. Brian Mustanski, to lead the scientific needs of the RADAR project as well as independently lead research papers, leadership meetings, scientific advisory boards, and pursue new collaborations and project supplements. This position will split their time at our main campus, 625 N Michigan Ave, and our off-campus site, Center on Halsted. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

 

Supporting the RADAR Principal Investigator in:

  • protecting human participants’ rights, safety and welfare;
  • ensuring protocol compliance;
  • preparing documents for IRB submissions and protocols;
  • adhering to institutional, state, and federal regulations and guidance;
  • Reviewing and ensuring that project aims are being met and data collection is occurring as planned;
  • Developing and advancing scientific opportunities and collaborations;
  • Supervising Critical Incident Procedures (CIPs) in the RADAR cohort;
  • Soliciting new collaborations and supplements, managing the vetting and approval process for new supplements, and ensuring appropriate closeout of supplements;
  • Organizing and leading the biannual scientific advisory board.

 

The Research Assistant/Associate Professor will also independently:

  • Publish papers in academic journals;
  • Represent the university at conferences and deliver presentations, as necessary;
  • Mentor undergraduate and graduate students as well as project staff.

 

Position Details:  This is a full-time position based on the Chicago campus of Northwestern University. This position reports to Dr. Brian Mustanski.  This is a non-tenure eligible faculty position.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Doctoral degree in social/behavioral science (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology) or health sciences (e.g., public health, nursing).
  • Strong interest and/or experience in one or more of the following: research with sexual & gender minority populations, health disparities and public health research, HIV/AIDS, substance use, health services, and implementation science research
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Extensive analytical, observational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Background in publishing research articles in scientific journals.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet timelines.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Ability to coordinate work with numerous contributors.

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Experience working with community-based organizations.
  • Experience working with under-represented and minority youth.
  • Experience in managing project budgets and financials.

To apply: Applicants should email application materials Rana Saber at r-saber@northwestern.edu with the subject line “RADAR Research Professor.” Applications should include a CV and cover letter explaining fit with this position; relevant work or educational experiences, including experiences with research topic areas; and the names of two references who will be contacted only for finalists. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

ISGMH Diversity Statement: ISGMH’s commitment to diversity is critical to our mission of advancing access to excellence in academic programs, world-class research, and health programs. Engagement in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military service, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression will not be tolerated. Through its work, ISGMH advances the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals. Staff and trainees should expect to find a diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities among ISGMH staff, trainees, research participants, and in outreach experiences. We highlight the importance of respecting and valuing this aspect of diversity among staff and trainees.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.