General Summary: 

The Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging in the Gerontology Institute collaborates with municipalities, nonprofits, and other organizations to plan for an increasingly older population. The Center conducts research, develops analytic tools and information, and consults with governmental and nongovernmental groups and actively seeks out new opportunities to extend their reach and impact at the community and organizational level. Over the past decade, the Center has become a dynamic hub dedicated to studying various aspects of aging while actively involving the community in its research endeavors. Housed within Boston’s only public university, the Center serves as a bridge between academic researchers, health and social service professionals, and local residents, aiming to address pressing issues and improve the quality of life for older adults. The Center braids together the threads of community engagement, student training, and scholarship to create a fun and collaborative place to work.

The Senior Research Associate within the Center for Social and Demographic Research in Aging will be responsible for managing the Center’s municipal projects to ensure quality and efficiency in their production, and will assist in expanding projects to promote the demographic and community-engaged research capacity of the Gerontology Institute, to serve the research and evaluation needs of community organizations that serve older adults and to provide training for students, including community engagement. The Senior Research Associate works with a high degree of independence in designing, seeking funds for, and carrying out research projects.

Examples of Duties: 

• Coordinate the design and production of demographic and analytical reports for clients;
• Establish quality control checkpoints to ensure the highest level of accuracy; develop guidelines for data compilation and presentation;
• Design competitive research projects, either in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or investigator-initiated funding opportunities; ensure adherence to schedule and budget estimates for projects;
• Perform data management and data cleaning tasks, including preparing datasets for analysis and conducting data analyses
• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations to municipal and organizational leaders
• Conduct qualitative data collection (e.g., interviews and focus groups) and analysis of qualitative data
• Author and co-author publications related to the Center’s research
• Both independently and in collaboration with other senior investigators, identify promising directions for research consistent with the mission of the Center and Institute;
• Initiate and facilitate regular communication with co-investigators on research projects;
• Manage research projects, including project teams, in a responsible and timely fashion, troubleshooting and identifying needed modifications, when difficulties arise; develop project timelines and delegate tasks to staff, including monitoring adherence to targets;
• Work with the Director of Finance, Grants and Operations and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) to assure proposals meet both university and funding organization specifications and that funded projects are managed appropriately;
• Participate in recruiting, training and supervising Research Assistants for research projects; manage the efforts of graduate student employees, including recruiting and training;
• Participate in recruiting, training, and supervising a team of undergraduate student employees; oversee the onboard process; maintain verifiable records of weekly time sheets; manage scheduling and day to day workload for undergraduate student employees
• Develop and implement strategies for effective dissemination to interested parties, including national conference presentations, funding agencies and service providers;
• Promote the Center’s needs assessment services to new municipal clients; identify new markets for the product;
• Maintain in an organized and accessible manner, all files, documents, and reports related to Center projects
• Perform other duties assigned.

Qualifications: 

• A minimum of five-seven (5-7) years of relevant work experience
• A doctoral degree (at the time of hiring, the applicant must have the degree)
• Quantitative research methods and skills
• Experience with survey design, survey administration, data management and statistical analysis
• Experience with mentoring or training undergraduate students
• Training or work experience focusing on older populations
• Proficiency in administrative software applications, including Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of and demonstrated competence in project management
• Ability to work independently and to complete tasks, as well as the initiative to anticipate project needs and respond accordingly
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and duties while adhering to strict deadlines
• Ability to work harmoniously in a team environment
• Ability to work with other University offices to execute contracts, ensure vendor payments, and manage Internal Review Board interactions
• Ability to delegate and manage staff, both directly and indirectly
• Ability to work under pressure and successfully manage multiple projects and duties within established timeframes
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and quality control, with a commitment to produce high-quality deliverables in a timely manner;

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade:  33           

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of Jun 30, 2028, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.