Project Assistant

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. USC is consistently ranked among the nation’s most prestigious universities, and the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology features one of the world’s best degree and research programs in gerontology. The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has an international reputation as a hub of aging research and with additional strong programs throughout the university, leads the way in defining and advancing the field of gerontology: https://gero.usc.edu

The University of Southern California (USC) Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is seeking a Project Assistant to join the Falzarano Family Caregiving Lab. The Project Assistant will be tasked with working on a study funded by the National Institute on Aging focused on using technology to enhance family caregivers’ use of formal services and supports. This is a Part-Time position scheduled to work 20 hrs a week.

The Falzarano Family Caregiving Lab (FFCL) is dedicated to leading a program of research that will inform the design, evaluation, and dissemination of relevant, evidence-based behavioral research using technology to reduce stress, address unmet needs, and enhance access to supportive services tailored for dementia family caregivers and their diverse needs. Dr. Francesca Falzarano, FFCL’s lab director, joined USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in August 2023. Our overarching goal is to bring caregivers from the sidelines of society to the forefront and include their diverse voices in research. FFCL is dedicated to working toward bridging the gap between research and the real world, ensuring continuity and adequate support for dementia family caregivers across the research-practice-community pipeline. Our research projects use mixed-methods study design to examine the contextual, demographic, and psychosocial characteristics influencing the caregiving experience, and methods of better connecting the unmet needs of dementia family caregivers to relevant available services. We conduct quantitative and qualitative research to inform the development of behavioral interventions focused on the intersection of technology and dementia care.

The Project Assistant will assist with supporting projects related to family caregiving for older persons with dementia. The projects involve qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, semi-structured interviewing, electronic and paper-based surveys, and randomized controlled trials. This role will also be responsible for data collection (e.g., interviewing participants), data analysis (coding qualitative data), aiding in project development, and assisting in developing Manuals of Operations (MOPs) for all study-related activities. The Project Assistant will also be responsible for the development, submission, and maintenance of IRB materials.

Additional responsibilities include developing strategies for participant recruitment, conducting screenings for eligibility, obtaining informed consent, administering surveys, developing data collection databases, and updating study tracking and data entry. The Project Assistant will assist with community outreach efforts, assist in the preparation of study updates, and attend weekly team meetings. Interest and experience in behavioral research examining health across the lifespan, health care delivery, and family caregiving are required. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology in progress

• Experience with psychological/behavioral research

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Effective multitasking skills (e.g., able to manage multiple participants simultaneously)

• Flexible and adaptable

• Collaborative/strong communication skills

• Ideally have experience using RedCap, Office 365, Slack, and Dedoose Qualitative Coding Software

This is a non-exempt, part-time remote position with work expected Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Weekends and evenings when needed, and conference-related travel up to 1-2 per year. After an initial period of training, the successful candidate will be able to work shifts from home based on the discretion of the PI.  Benefits include a competitive salary, and a rich array of USC benefits including healthcare (including dental and vision), 403(b), tuition reimbursement, national holidays, paid vacation, and more.

This position is funded by a research contract/grant and may be funded by a subsequent contract/grant. Accordingly, your position is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from this or any subsequent contract/grant to continue employment.

The hourly rate range for this position is $26.72-$29.11. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

If you are interested, please submit your completed application, including a cover letter and resume with references. Thank you for your interest!

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent Minimum Experience: 1 year Minimum Field of Expertise: Knowledge of data collection procedures and some experience with proposal preparation and production of technical documents