Department: The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health
Rank: Research Assistant (Type B)
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Positions available: 2 (one full-time; one part-time)

Review of Applications Begins

May 20, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration, complete applications must include the following:
• A cover letter highlighting how your knowledge, skills, and experience quality you for the requirements, competencies, and if applicable, preferred qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A resume of your professional work experience, education, and applicable certifications.


There are 2 positions open - one position is full time (1.0 FTE) and the second is part time (.25 FTE). Work will be performed in the Philadelphia-area.

Department Summary

​The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon Portland establishes a new national model for behavioral healthcare for children and families by creating the nation’s first undergraduate program in child behavioral health. The institute prioritizes the needs of youth who have been historically or persistently underserved and seeks to make real system change by: creating a new mental health profession that addresses existing barriers and gaps in mental health services, delivering supports in schools and the community, training existing youth-serving professionals, developing new approaches to support child behavioral health, and transforming the Pacific Northwest into a national model of thought and action. 

Launched in March 2022, this groundbreaking institute was made possible by an extraordinary gift from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of Ballmer Group Philanthropy. ​

Position Summary

The pro-tem research assistant engages in applied research activities in the Behavior, Emotions, Development, and Sleep (BEDS Lab). The BEDS Lab focuses on (1) understanding multi-level socio-ecological factors (i.e., child, family, school, healthcare, neighborhood) linked to child sleep health disparities and (2) the adaptation and implementation of behavioral sleep interventions in partnership with primary care, schools, and community organizations.

The pro-tem research assistant in the BEDS Lab requires an individual who is self-motivated and has excellent organizational, research, and communication skills to participate in a variety of new and ongoing research. Study protocols involve the implementation of manualized sleep health promotion interventions, qualitative interviews, actigraphy and polysomnography procedures, and caregiver-child interaction tasks. The pro-tem Research Assistant works closely with Professor Ariel Williamson to design and implement research, collaborate with family and research partners, seek and obtain external support for research activities, and publish results.

The pro-tem research assistant may be required to collect data at sites in the Philadelphia-area.

This position is a 12-month Pro Tem Faculty limited-duration appointment, potentially renewable for up to a total of three years.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related behavioral health field.
• Experience in a behavioral health lab.

Professional Competencies

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work and solve problems independently, as well as in a collaborative team environment, and represent the university in a professional manner.
• Organization and management skills; ability to prioritize multiple projects and manage projects from conception through completion.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations and a commitment to, and experience with, promoting and enhancing diversity and equity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with family and/or community partners in research.
• Experience in supervising, consulting, or training clinicians in evidence-based methods.
• Publications related to child sleep, behavioral health, and/or health disparities.
• Experience in pediatric clinical/behavioral research, clinical trials and/or intervention implementation, and initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with IRB protocol preparation.
• Experience with intervention fidelity monitoring.
• Strong computer, statistical, and technical skills.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

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