American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type:
Part time
Job Type:
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Excluded
Summary:
The Research Assistant will work with Profs. Tracy Weitz and Sarah Iverson.
The American University (AU) Center on Health, Risk, and Society (CHRS) supports a thriving multi-disciplinary community of scholars that conducts research on health and health-related issues using the tools and lens of social science. Its Director, Professor Tracy A Weitz, PhD, MPA, is a national expert on abortion care, policy, culture, and politics. In this capacity, she has launched several research projects in which undergraduate students can participate to gain research experience and contribute to knowledge production related to abortion in the United States.
Research with Prof. Iverson investigates how college applicants are navigating the application process after the ban on race-conscious admissions by the Supreme Court in 2023. Job duties include coordinating interviews, working with organizations to recruit interviewees, conducting interviews with recently graduated high school students, analyzing interviews, conducting literature reviews, and writing academic research papers.
Essential Functions:
1.) Conduct Literature Reviews
Working with supervisors and institutional library services, conduct literature reviews on narrow specifically defined topics. Read relevant academic literature and summarize in a shared document. Synthesize into an organized narrative.
2.) Data Collection
Conduct interviews via telephone, internet, or other methods. With Prof. Weitz, interviews relate to experiences with abortion-providing facilities. With Prof. Iverson, interviews are conducted with those who have gone through the college application process or at college essay writing workshops.
3.) Data Analysis
Using Atlas.ti qualitative data software to analyze transcripts and field notes. Writing descriptive memos based on coding process.
4.) Writing Up Findings
Duties may include generating data tables, authoring manuscript sections, proofreading, or building a reference list. Contributions to paper drafts are based on data collection and analysis. Peer review process will be engaged where relevant.
5.) Code Qualitative Data
When approved by the AU Institutional Review Board (IRB) read and code qualitative interview transcripts.
6.) Coordinating Interviews and with Other Team Members
Email prospective interviewees to set up times to speak. Work to recruit additional interviewees through snowball sampling. Attend biweekly updates with other team members to share progress and work with others to evenly distribute interviewing and coding duties.
Competencies:
Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
Prioritizing and Organizing.
Thinking Broadly.
Displaying Creativity.
Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
Building and Supporting Teams.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Part-Time.
10 - 20 hours per week (5 - 10 hours with each faculty member).
Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding (funding ends 7/31/2026).
Salary Range:
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
1 - 3 years demonstrated academic background in sociology, public health, social work, or a related discipline.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Master's degree or equivalent.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Passion for sociology, public health, or related fields.
Previous research training or work experience is helpful but not required.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
Biology & Biotech (4)