The Opportunity
We are seeking a Research Assistant to join the team for the Program for Research on Youth Development and Engagement (PRYDE) who will work under the direction of Dr. Kristen Elmore. The main responsibilities of this role involve a combination of research, teaching support, outreach and administrative leadership. The position requires designing and managing research protocols, conducting interviews and focus groups, analyzing data, and synthesizing findings for reports and publications. The role also involves supervising undergraduate research assistants, ensuring compliance with human subjects’ research requirements, and supporting co-Directors with the PRYDE program’s priorities. In addition, the position provides course support, mentoring students, and helping with admissions to the PRYDE Scholars program. Outreach responsibilities include creating presentations for youth practitioners, representing the program to community organizations, and delivering educational programming on human development. The role also includes organizing events, managing social media content, and overseeing the administration of PRYDE activities.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with 2 to 4 years of relevant experience (e.g., public health, public policy, social science, social work, etc.) or equivalent combination.
Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.
Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to monitor details; Ability to handle the demands of deadlines and balancing of multiple tasks.
Ability to initiate own work schedule and solve problems; must be self-directed and willing to reach out for help when necessary.
Must have strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people; reliability; attention to detail; and the ability to work as part of a team.
Position includes occasional evening work and occasional travel.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with quantitative and qualitative data including data collection, coding, management, and analysis.
Experience with academic writing and publication for both academic and practitioner audiences.
Experience with translational research on youth development.
Knowledge of Cornell University and CCE NYS 4-H Youth Development.
Master’s Degree.
Position Responsibilities:
Youth Development Research (40%)
Develop and design study protocols including interview and focus group procedures. Conduct interviews and/or focus groups. Coordinate data analysis with qualitative coding teams and assist co-Directors in quantitative analysis. Synthesize and interpret results for reports, papers and articles. Supervise and manage a team of 3-5 undergraduate research assistants working on PRYDE-related research projects. Write research papers and reports for publication. Lead preparation and submission of IRB applications. Maintain compliance with human subjects’ research requirements. May travel occasionally to collect data (qualitative or survey-based). Support PRYDE co-Directors in determining priority areas and activities.
Teaching & Student Support Activities (20%)
Provides course support to the co-Directors including, but not limited to, initiating and maintaining online course information/updates in Canvas (course management system); coordinating community engagement opportunities and course logistics; and offering classroom support (e.g., facilitating discussions) for topics related to their content knowledge area. Makes recommendations for student admissions to PRYDE Scholars program. Provides mentoring of PRYDE students through one-on-one meetings and designing professional development workshops.
Extension Activities (25%)
Develop and implement outreach presentations for youth practitioners to support positive youth development practices. Liaison who represents the program to community organizations and makes public presentations. Create professional development content and identify speakers for practitioner conferences offered by PRYDE.
Develop and deliver educational outreach programming for youth to teach about human development and social science research practices. Manage implementation of PRYDE educational programs by providing training and technical assistance to practitioners or student facilitators.
Administrative Program Leadership (10%)
Design PRYDE events (e.g., invited talks, conferences), including coordination of speakers, vendors, and venues. Lead, coordinate, and track PRYDE progress. Plan, write, and post content to PRYDE’s social media and website.
Other position-related responsibilities (5%)
Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
Completion of any university required compliance trainings.
A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.
No visa sponsorship is available for this position. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in US without sponsorship. No relocation assistance is provided for this position.
University Job Title:
Research Support Spec I
Job Family:
Academic Support
Level:
E
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$65,447.00 - $75,632.00
Remote Option Availability:
Onsite
Company:
Contact Name:
Sheri Spencer-Chrisjohn
Contact Email:
sas636@cornell.edu
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2026-03-06