Research Assistant II

Overview

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after November 19, 2026.

The salary range for this position is $20.00 to $25.00 per hour, commensurate with qualifications. The position is scheduled for 15 hours per week.

The CHARM Lab within the School of Public Health at San Diego State University are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to support a research study focused on the mental health and sexual and reproductive health needs and health services engagement amongst newcomer mothers from Latin American and Caribbean countries who have recently arrived to the U.S.

Under the direction of Dr. Kaylee Ramage (SDSU) and the Research Coordinator (Chelsie Hernandez), the Research Assistant will contribute to community engagement, participant recruitment, informed consent, data collection, transcription and translation, and the development of materials to support knowledge translation for a mixed-methods study of the sexual, reproductive, and mental healthcare needs of newcomer Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) women. This person is a trained, trusted team member who can support research and community engagement activities in a culturally-appropriate, ethical, and respectful manner. The Research Assistant will also have opportunities to more broadly contribute to ongoing community-engaged research within the CHARM Lab that supports newcomer women’s mental, sexual, and reproductive health and healthcare access. We are specifically seeking applicants with written and spoken fluency in both English and Haitian Creole (Kreyol); bilingual applicants with written and spoken fluency in Spanish are also highly desirable. We are seeking applicants with work or volunteer experience in research or community settings involving diverse populations and/or public health - particularly in programs and research serving immigrants and newcomers.

Responsibilities

Primary Duties (95%)

Working as part of a team to support and sustain community-engaged research activities related to newcomer women’s mental, sexual, and reproductive health and healthcare access

Facilitate enrollment and informed consent with study participants

Recruit, screen, schedule, and conduct remote surveys and interviews with research participants, including with participants who speak Haitian Creole (Kreyol) and/or Spanish.

Translate and transcribe qualitative interview data from Haitian Creole into English

Maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation, and follow IRB and data security procedures.

Working collaboratively with other team members, contribute to knowledge translation materials (e.g., infographics, posters, summary reports) for community audiences

Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of community providers and researchers

Planning and attending meetings and community engagement events as part of the CHARM team

Developing and sustaining trusting relationships with community partners, participants, and the research team

Other Duties as assigned (5%)

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of sufficient lower division coursework

OR - Equivalent of one year related experience in lieu of coursework

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Research/community experience with diverse populations (1 yr)

Written/spoken fluency in English and Haitian Creole; Spanish also desired

Transcription and translation experience

Bachelor degree in Public Health/related field

Comfort interacting with diverse communities and newcomer populations

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.

Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).

San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.

Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.

SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.

SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.