RESEARCH ASSISTANT (500 HOURS)

NEA RESEARCH: ART WORKS GRANT

The mission of Gibney is to tap into the vast potential of movement, creativity and performance to effect social change and personal transformation. Gibney’s vision is to deploy resources and bring together disparate communities to ignite a cultural renaissance that has ripple effects far beyond the studio and stage. Gibney values:

·  Respect – we are inclusive, courteous, and thoughtful

·  Advocacy – we are supportive, principled, and catalytic

·  Responsibility – we are collaborative, responsive, and empowering

·  Action – we are resourceful, proactive, and entrepreneurial 

These values are intrinsic to Gibney and guide how we work together and interact with our core audiences.

Summary Statement: The Research Assistant (500 hours) will support a two-year clinical trial, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts: Art Works grant, which aims to determine the effects of group-based dance/movement on physical and mental health in survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence. The study is conducted as a partnership between Gibney’s Community Action Team, Sanctuary for Families, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (“UMass Amherst”), with Institutional Review Board oversight by UMass Amherst.

The ideal candidate is a highly responsible, organized, and reliable individual with a keen interest in conducting research on the relationship between dance exposures and physical and mental health. Specifically, this candidate must be prepared to interact with study participants from a trauma-informed orientation. The candidate should be comfortable collecting behavioral, physiological, qualitative, physical and mental health data within a population of individuals who are survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence using a range of research methods.

RESPONSIBILITIES
 
OVERVIEW

The Research Assistant (RA) works to advance Gibney within the Community Action Research Laboratory (“Action Lab”) and as part of a coordinated Community Action Team consisting of the Senior Director of Community Action and Strategic Initiatives (Kara Gilmour); Director of Community Action (Yasemin Ozumerzifon); UMass Amherst Assistant Professor of Dance Science, Principal Investigator, and Action Lab Director (Dr. Aston K. McCullough); Sanctuary for Families Deputy Clinical Director (Dr. Allison Ross); and the Action Lab Manager (Tessa Brinza). The RA reports to the Principal Investigator, with support from the Sanctuary for Families Deputy Clinical Director/Co-Investigator and the Action Lab Manager. This is a part-time, paid position that will fulfill up to 500 hours. The duration of the position is from August 2019 – August 2020.

The Research Assistant will receive training in trauma-informed interventions, project-specific data collection and management techniques, ethics in human research, and intimate partner violence awareness. The RA will be expected to successfully complete all requisite trainings and requirements, including passing a background check, I-9 form confirmation, and fingerprinting.

DATA COLLECTION

The RA will be responsible for collecting the following data in the field:

-Qualitative focus group and individual interview data
-Self-reported behavioral, physical, and mental health data
-Behavioral and physiological signals using wearable sensors

DATA MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

Additionally, the RA will be required to:

-Regularly attend lab meetings in the Action Lab
-Maintain the study database and routinely complete data entry
-Conduct periodic data fidelity checks
-Transcribe focus group and individual interview recordings

NONPROFIT EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATION

Gibney is a mission-based nonprofit performing arts organization. Working in this sector can be personally rewarding, with intrinsic benefits and distinct opportunities for growth. However, the compensation will never match that of the private sector or more highly resourced art forms. Candidates for employment are advised to carefully consider their decision to work in this field before seeking or accepting a position at Gibney.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

-Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Nursing, or related field
-Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including working collaboratively with professionals across disciplines
-Experience working in a culturally and linguistically diverse environment
-Familiarity with issues of trauma, violence prevention and victimization, especially domestic violence and sex trafficking
-Have an understanding of Social services issues
-Excellent written and presentation skills
-Excellent computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office Suite

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

-Master’s degree candidate in Social Work
-Data entry and database management experience (REDCap or other software/system)
-Questionnaire administration and data collection experience
-Experience collecting qualitative data
-Ability to speak another language, preferably Spanish

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning August 15, 2019 until the position has been successfully filled.

To be considered for the position, please email the items below in one PDF-formatted file with your name as the filename to position@gibneydance.org. Include “Research Assistant (500 hours)” as the email’s subject line. Submissions must include:

-A substantive cover letter including the following information: your interest in the position and the organization, evidence of the required experience (indicating prior research experience, relevant training, and specific interest in conducting social justice-oriented research), and the date you are available to start
CV or résumé outlining your educational and professional experience

-One (1) letter of recommendation

All expressions of interest and conversations will be held in the strictest confidence. Incomplete submissions will not be considered nor will submissions sent via postal mail or fax. No calls please.

GIBNEY DANCE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.