Research (Entry-level)

Responsibilities: Assist with evaluating emerging smart home safety technologies through structured observation, device setup, and performance documentation. Support focus groups, informant interviews, and community engagement sessions with older adults living in public housing. Conduct usability testing sessions in lab and community settings, including administering standardized usability measures (e.g., SUS, TAM) and recording observations. Perform qualitative research activities such as preparing interview guides, reviewing transcripts, coding data, and assisting with thematic analysis. Support quantitative data tasks including data entry, data cleaning, descriptive analysis, and preparation of basic summaries. Help maintain organized datasets, logs, technology inventories, and evaluation records. Assist with developing participant materials, training aids, summary reports, and other dissemination products. Collaborate with faculty, research staff, and community partners to ensure smooth execution of evaluation activities. Follow research protocol requirements, ethical standards, and procedures for working respectfully with older adults.

Preferred Skills: Interest in aging, digital health, rehabilitation, human-centered design, or community-based research. Experience or coursework in qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, coding) or usability testing. Familiarity with tools such as Excel, REDCap, NVivo, Dedoose, or similar platforms. Strong attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks. Comfortable interacting with older adults and supporting technology demonstrations. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Knowledge in health informatics, public health, rehabilitation science, psychology, gerontology, or related fields. Experience in research assistance, data collection, usability evaluation, or qualitative analysis preferred. Bachelor’s degree.