Job Description

Position Summary

The Pediatric Public Health Initiative at Michigan State University is hiring a half-time Research Technologist 2. This position will primarily support intervention delivery and data collection in a randomized-controlled trial evaluating a parenting program, PlayReadVIP— a relationship-based, individualized parent-child intervention administered to families in the context of pediatric primary care. The research technologist will work with families and providers and deliver a curriculum focused on supporting parent-child interactions in the context of pretend play, shared reading and daily routines; all shown to enhance child development and school readiness.

Activities supported by the research technologist will include recruitment and consenting of study participants; delivering a brief standardized parenting intervention to parents of infants and young children (newborn to age 3) in a clinical setting, data entry and data management in an electronic database; and scheduling, tracking, and maintenance of participant appointments and research records in a randomized controlled trial. It may also include administration of developmental assessments with study children age 9 months to 3 years; data collection via telephone and in-person interviews and questionnaires.

The Research Technologist will work with a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, pediatricians, and other child development professionals and should perform all job duties and responsibilities in a courteous and customer-focused manner.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter, have the ability to work collaboratively and to take direction, and have strong data and communication skills. The candidate must be organized, efficient, responsive to feedback, professional, and trustworthy.

The Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative seeks to provide employees with a diverse, challenging set of duties that foster learning new skills and knowledge and a collegial environment where employees regularly share information, ideas, resources, and solutions to problems.

Description of Duties

• 35% Deliver standardized intervention program to parents of infants and young children, which involves tips about reading, playing, and interacting with children, videotaping parents and children playing together, providing general positive reinforcement about the video (PlayReadVIP program coach)
• 30% Coordinate, track, and schedule program visits with study participants
• 20% Recruit and consent participants into a research study
• 5% Perform data entry procedures
• 5% Participate in ongoing study and program implementation training
• 5% Other duties as assigned

This is a half-time (20 hr/week; within regular business hours) in-person, 12-month end-dated position located in Flint, MI. The research technologist will primarily be working in a clinical setting and must meet requirements for hospital worksite conditions. On-site parking is not provided; staff must arrange their own parking accommodations, which may require payment. Anticipated start date is November 2026.

Please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge normally acquired by completing a four- year college degree program in Pediatric Public Health or other related field; six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience performing basic research techniques specific to the area of research employment such as: Tissue Culture, Analytical Research, Molecular Biology, Agriculture, Social Science, Physiology, Medical Research, etc., including the use and calibration of related equipment; word processing, spreadsheet; database and/or desktop publishing software; presentation software; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with infants and toddlers preferred
• Experience working with underserved families from economically diverse populations
• Experience collecting, entering and managing research study data
• Experience entering data into REDCap or other electronic database system

One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience collecting data and administering assessments for research studies;

• Able to work independently in an organized and efficient manner in professional settings;
• Basic proficiency in the following software: Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Office PowerPoint;
• Excellent oral and written skills with the ability to write and conduct daily communication

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Cover Letter

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://publichealth.msu.edu/

Summary of Health Risks

Will work in pediatric office to deliver parenting intervention

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 10/20/2026 at 11:55 PM