Research Associate

About the role

Howard University’s Talent Acquisition team recruits people who can strengthen the university’s strategic goals and overall mission. This position is part of that effort and is designed for someone who can contribute to meaningful research and clinical support work.

The Research Associate helps run the day-to-day operations of a distress screening program for cancer outpatients at Howard University Hospital. The role supports patient identification, psychosocial screening, data handling, compliance, and related research activities that help the program function effectively and support evaluation of outcomes.

Work environment and reporting line

This role does not include direct people management. The selected candidate will work under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and assigned study team members, while partnering with healthcare and research professionals from multiple disciplines.

Key responsibilities

The position focuses on organizing screening workflows, maintaining documentation, supporting referrals, and helping ensure the project meets regulatory and ethical standards. It also includes participation in meetings, data quality checks, and support for scholarly output.

Benefits and wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with access to mental health support
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible work arrangements
• Competitive pay and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Training opportunities, tuition support, and growth-oriented career pathways
• Wellness initiatives, commuter support, and an engaging workplace culture

Responsibilities

• Help identify Howard University Hospital cancer outpatients who may be eligible for distress screening.
• Support study team members in carrying out psychosocial distress screening for HUH cancer outpatients.
• Record assessment details carefully and on time, and enter results into the designated online screening system.
• Assist with referrals and connections to community resources for patients based on psychosocial needs.
• Organize and maintain regulatory paperwork and other study records.
• Contribute to manuscript drafting, preparation, and other dissemination efforts.
• Attend weekly project meetings to review progress and upcoming priorities.
• Coordinate research activities and help monitor data for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Follow all institutional, regulatory, and ethical requirements related to research work.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• A master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, or a closely related discipline is preferred.
• Prior experience in healthcare, research, behavioral health, or a similar environment is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, plus internet-based tools.
• Experience using electronic data collection tools, databases, or research software is preferred.
• Ability to keep accurate records and manage several tasks or projects at once.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of required institutional training, including compliance training.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of HIPAA Privacy and Security training.
• Willingness to take part in ongoing professional development as required.
• Ability to work professionally with patients, healthcare staff, and research colleagues while protecting confidentiality.

Additional information

Strong organizational ability, clear communication, careful attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team are important for success in this role. The position also requires professional boundaries, ethical conduct, and the ability to handle sensitive information in line with HIPAA and institutional policies.

Salary disclosure

The stated salary range for this role is $50,000 to $57,700.