Graduate Student Research Assistant - CHSR (EQUIPD)

The EQUIPD Study:

The overall goal of EQUIPD is to refine, test, and prepare to implement a novel approach to overcoming patient-related barriers to the use of nonpharmacologic pain treatments (NPTs) that are tailored to Black patients with comorbid pain and depression, a healthcare population that continues to experience disparities in pain treatment, including being offered fewer treatment options than White patients. EQUIPD simultaneously addresses disparities pervasive in pain treatment and challenges related to comorbid pain and depression, by partnering with and empowering minoritized patients to find safe, effective approaches to chronic pain that best match their values, preferences, and lifestyles. Moreover, EQUIPD helps to advance the National Pain Strategy by promoting multi-modal approaches to pain care that are tailored to individual patients' needs.

Center for Health Services Research (CHSR)

The William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research advances health care and patient experiences for all of us. CHSR's wide-ranging, interdisciplinary work results in transformative best practices on a scale that allows for sustainable impact on the quality of care, clinical outcomes, and the value of the healthcare experience for patients, clinicians, and administrators.

Purpose

Dr. Matthias is a health communication specialist. She focuses on communication in chronic pain care and in mental health, with specific research interest in patient-provider communication and clinical decision-making.

The student(s) selected for this position will participate in a part-time (10-15 hours per week) employment position as a graduate research assistant that includes structured research and academic activities. Students can gain experience in research methodology related to health communication health services, implementation science, and health disparities and equity, behavioral intervention, pragmatic trials, program evaluation measurement, and data analysis by assisting with ongoing research projects. Research project types vary and include a number of both funded and unfunded research projects. Students are encouraged to review peer-reviewed manuscripts from the Matthias team on PubMed or current NIH-funded projects on NIH Reporter to consider the type of work the team conducts before applying. Duties will likely include helping with patient consent, recruitment, intervention delivery, and/or transcription of interviews; survey/interview guide design and data management; data management and analysis. Students may also assist the research team with presentations, abstracts, and peer-reviewed manuscripts, and grant writing. The work environment is collaborative within our multidisciplinary team of clinicians, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, behavioral scientists, and data scientists. This work may lead to opportunities for continued employment on the project in 2026.

Regenstrief Institute works in a hybrid capacity. This opportunity will include remote work, with the potential to work onsite in an office environment.

Although this study team's opening is designed for Temporary Graduate Research Assistant candidates, applicants with more or less experience in research may be considered for alternative roles.

This position follows a HYBRID working model, incorporating at least (1) day of on-site presence.

• Requires completion of a bachelors degree and enrollment in/completion of the first year of a graduate program related to psychology or public health. Similar education/work experience may be considered. Preferred major(s) for the applicants include psychology, health communication, or public health.
• Experience in delivery of behavioral health interventions or engagement in chronic pain research preferred.
• Some prior knowledge of medical terminology and/or research experience is preferred.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong writing and grammar skills.
• Requires the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Requires ability to interact and verbally communicate with a diverse group of employees, hospital staff, hospital patients and study leadership.
• Applicants must be legally able to work in the United States or eligible to obtain appropriate student work authorization.
• Selected students must agree to participate in the program for a minimum of 8 weeks.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to interact and verbally communicate with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Ability to write simple reports and operational correspondence.
• Ability to read and follow general policies, procedures, and study protocols.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve practical problems, troubleshoot, analyze situations, and make sound decisions
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

TECHNICAL/COMPUTER SKILLS

• Requires proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and
  e-mail systems.
• Exposure to qualitative and/or quantitative data analytics and/or working with large data sets preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This position requires the physical ability to work assigned work hours.
• This position may require the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.
• This position requires the manual dexterity to operate a keyboard and pointing device.
• This position requires the ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
• This position requires limited physical activity, such as pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and moving (up to 20 pounds).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This work may take place in both a corporate and/or home office environment.
• This work is sometimes fast-paced and deadline-oriented and requires a flexible work schedule.
• Use of computer, business office equipment, and moving objects is necessary.
• This position requires working as a team member and also independently.
• This position requires working and interacting with a diverse set of individuals, both in person and virtually through phone, e-mail, virtual meeting platforms, and written correspondence.

REGENSTRIEF INSTITUTE REQUIRES ALL EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE THE INFLUENZA VACCINATION ANNUALLY DURING FLU SEASON UNLESS APPROVED FOR EXEMPTION.

Please note visa sponsorship and/or relocation are not available for this position.