Job Description

Position Type: Grant-Funded | Temporary

Duration: June 1 – September 30, 2026

Center: Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine

Location: CWRU Institute for Population and Community Health, Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center, 1974 E. 66th Street, Suite 300, Cleveland, Ohio 44103-4888

Hours: 40 hours per week during summer term, 20 hours per week during Fall Semester.

Compensation:Based on experience and CWRU student employment rate available here

Number of Positions: 1

Project Background

The Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve University is supporting implementation of Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change efforts to increase healthy food choices and active living among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) consumers across Ohio. A core initiative within this work focuses on expanding and enhancing produce prescription programming infrastructure to better serve SNAP-eligible populations in Ohio.

The Research Assistant (RA) will provide critical support to the following project: Enhance Produce Prescription Infrastructure to Reach SNAP Recipients. This is a fast-paced, community-engaged evaluation project running through September 30, 2026.

Under the direction of a Project Manager, the Graduate Research Assistant will support the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a multi-county technology-assisted produce prescription initiative in Ohio. This position offers hands-on experience in community-based participatory research, stakeholder engagement, app development feedback processes, and convening facilitation. The RA will work closely with the Project Manager and Research Lead and will collaborate with community partners, clinical providers, local growers, technology partners, and SNAP consumers across Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Mahoning, Lawrence, and Fayette counties in Ohio. The RA may also assist other activities within the Healthy Choices project as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement & Co-Design (Objective 1)

• Assist with recruiting and coordinating participation of up to 45 SNAP consumers and produce prescription stakeholders from 3 target Ohio counties

• Support the design and facilitation of feedback sessions (e.g., focus groups, interviews, or surveys) to gather input on functionality needs for adapting the Produce Path app for produce prescription use

• Document participant feedback systematically and prepare summaries for the project team

• Ensure participant engagement processes are culturally responsive and accessible to low-income populations

• Provide and document compensation for all participants

App Enhancement Coordination (Objective 2)

• Serve as a liaison between the research team and the technology firm responsible for enhancing the Produce Path app

• Synthesize stakeholder recommendations from Objective 1 into clear, actionable documentation for the technology team

• Track progress on app enhancements and assist with reviewing iterative updates to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs

• Maintain organized records of communications, timelines, and deliverables related to app development

App Satisfaction Evaluation (Objective 3)

• Assist with recruiting 15 SNAP consumers and produce prescription stakeholders from 3 Ohio counties for satisfaction feedback sessions on the enhanced Produce Path app

• Support data collection, entry, and preliminary analysis of satisfaction feedback

• Prepare summary reports documenting participant responses and key findings for the project team

Stakeholder Convening (Objective 4)

• Support the planning and logistics for a multi-stakeholder convening bringing together local growers, clinical providers, and SNAP consumers

• Assist with agenda development, participant outreach, venue or virtual platform coordination, and materials preparation

• Take detailed notes during the convening and assist with synthesizing key themes and identified pathways for integrating locally sourced fruits and vegetables into produce prescription programming in Ohio

• Contribute to post-convening reporting and dissemination of findings

Project Coordination & Reporting

• Track progress toward project objectives and success metrics, including:

• Number of participants involved in co-design activities

• Documentation of core features identified for the Produce Path app

• Participant satisfaction feedback on integrated design features

• Maintain organized project files, timelines, and communication logs

• Attend regular team meetings and provide updates on task progress

• Assist with preparation of project reports, presentations, and other deliverables as needed

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a degree program at CWRU in Public Health, Nutrition, Social Work, Community Health, Health Promotion, Urban Studies, Communications, or a related field

• Strong interest in community nutrition, community-engaged research, or technology interventions

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks within tight timelines

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and/or Google Workspace

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with qualitative or mixed-methods research (e.g., focus groups, interviews, surveys)

• Familiarity with SNAP programming, food insecurity issues, or produce prescription models

• Experience working with low-income populations

• Knowledge of community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles and practices

• Experience with stakeholder engagement, event coordination, or community convening

• Familiarity with mobile app development feedback or user experience (UX) processes is a plus

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment (combination of in-person activities (3 days per week) and remote work (2 days per week)

• Some travel within Ohio may be required to support county-level stakeholder engagement activities in Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Mahoning, Lawrence, and/or Fayette counties. All travel costs will be compensated.

• Occasional evening or weekend availability may be needed to accommodate community stakeholder schedules.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience and consistent with Case Western Reserve University graduate research assistant pay scales ($13.31 to $22.14). This is a grant-funded position for the duration of the project period (June 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026)

Application Instructions

Interested candidates apply through interfolio by uploading the following:

1. Cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant experience

2. Current CV or resume

3. Contact information for two references

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at equity@case.edu Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.