Research Assistant III

The Research and Curriculum Development Coordinator will support a multidisciplinary, community-engaged research team conducting Tribal early childhood education research focused on Indigenous wellbeing, food sovereignty, land-based learning, and culturally grounded educational practices. The position will contribute to the development, organization, adaptation, and implementation of educational and research materials while coordinating study operations across multiple Tribal Head Start communities.

Working closely with the Principal Investigators, Academic Specialists, Tribal partners, and research staff, the Coordinator will support curriculum material production, participant data collection activities, measure administration, data management, quality assurance procedures, and implementation monitoring. The position will play a key role in ensuring consistency, accuracy, and cultural responsiveness across study activities while maintaining strong relationships with project partners and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Curriculum and Educational Materials Support (70%):

• Support the development, formatting, revision, and organization of culturally grounded curriculum and educational materials for Tribal early childhood settings, as well as SUD educational materials for health care professionals.
• Assist in preparing classroom activity guides, implementation manuals, teacher resource materials, and curriculum support documents.
• Prepare materials and resources for teacher trainings, implementation support activities, and community dissemination events.
• Coordinate material development with community partners.

Research Operations and Data Collection Coordination (15%):

• Support the coordination of research activities across participating Tribal Head Start sites.
• Schedule and track data collection activities, classroom observations, focus groups, interviews, and assessment administration.
• Maintain project timelines, data collection schedules, and tracking systems to ensure completion of study milestones.
• Draft data-collection packets and participant-tracking documents.

Data Management and Quality Assurance (15%):

• Enter, clean, code, and manage quantitative and qualitative research data.
• Conduct routine data quality checks and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with project investigators and research staff.
• Maintain secure databases and project records in accordance with university, Tribal, and funding agency requirements.
• Assist in preparing datasets for analysis and reporting.

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired through completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master’s degree in Human Development, Psychology, Public Health, Social Science, Native American Studies, or a related field.
• One to Three years of progressively responsible experience conducting community-engaged early childhood research, evaluation, or curriculum development.
• One to Three years of progressively responsible experience conducting community-engaged research, evaluation, or curriculum development addressing substance use disorders.
• Experience coordinating research or evaluation activities involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing, cleaning, and organizing research data.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities and partners.

• Experience working with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, Tribal organizations, or other historically underserved communities.
• Experience working with people with lived or living experiences with substance use disorder and family members who have loved ones with substance use disorder.
• Experience supporting the development, adaptation, or implementation of culturally grounded early childhood education curricula, interventions, or prevention programs in Tribal communities.
• Experience coordinating multi-site research studies, community-based participatory research, or Tribal Participatory Research.
• Experience conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research, including focus groups, interviews, observations, and community-engaged data collection.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

CV, cover letter, three professional references

This is an end-dated position funded through 06/30/2027.  

STANDARD 8-5

This position is funded for until 06/30/2027, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Advertised: Jul 22, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jul 28, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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