Overview

The Jain Family Institute (JFI) is seeking to fill the position of Research Fellow who will provide support to the Principal Investigator (PI), Senior JFI Fellow and Appalachian State University associate professor Dr. Leah Hamilton, on the formal evaluation of HudsonUP, a multi-year guaranteed income program in Hudson, New York. HudsonUP is sponsored by the Spark of Hudson and nested within the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood.

In this role, the Research Fellow will work with the PI on a field-based qualitative research study on guaranteed income payments to local recipients and track their experiences over time.

The role will be ideal for a current graduate student or recent graduate from a master’s or PhD program with a background and interest in poverty policy, inequality, and program evaluation with specific interest and experience in qualitative research. Applicants must be based in or have deep familiarity with Columbia County/the Hudson Valley.

This is a part-time position. Compensation will be provided on an hourly basis, between $30-40/hour commensurate with experience. Review of applications will begin immediately and proceed on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities:

The Research Fellow will work closely with the PI and liaise regularly with the pilot director. The primary responsibilities for this role will include:

  • Support principal researchers with modifying and implementing research methodology;
  • Plan, coordinate, and conduct qualitative data collection in the field, including in-person and virtual interviews, developing transcriptions and field notes, and coding data;
  • Draft and submit IRB-related documents and modifications;
  • Help in piloting and revising interview guide;
  • Coordinate with pilot leadership to ensure privacy of participants and transparency around the research process;
  • Engage with local community leaders and organizations on a regular basis;
  • Recruit and retain research participants through multiple means and manage follow-up with and tracking of participants;
  • Data organization for all the project data and consent forms from participants;
  • Coordinate and attend regular ongoing project meetings;
  • Write project reports for submission to research partners and funders;
  • Assist principal researchers in writing project proposals for new initiatives, grants, and programs to expand the current research and develop new projects.

Requirements

Minimum Skills & Qualifications:

  • Graduate education (Master’s or PhD) preferably in public policy, social science or social work
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
  • Flexible schedule including ability to participate in interviews in early evenings and weekends
  • Experience with qualitative research and data analysis skills
  • Experience with mixed methods and connect qualitative and quantitative analyses
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent skills in Microsoft, Google Docs, and qualitative coding software

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

  • Strong preference for candidates residing in/around Columbia County / the Hudson Valley
  • Experience with or knowledge about human services and anti-poverty programs
  • Bi-lingual (English and Spanish)

JFI is firmly committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We believe that the quality of our work and research is immensely strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, and more. We actively seek and welcome applicants who identify as BIPOC, women, members of the LGBTQIA community, persons with disabilities, and people at the intersections and peripheries of these identities, from across the spectrum of disciplines and methods. For details about our staff and current projects, see http://www.jainfamilyinstitute.org/.