Research Associate II or III
Are you passionate about research that makes a real difference? The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University is seeking a Research Associate II or III to join our team. Our mission is to improve employment and independent living outcomes for individuals who are blind or have low vision through cutting-edge research, training, and education. In this role, you’ll collaborate with experienced researchers on federally funded projects, gain hands-on experience, and receive mentoring designed to help you grow into a future research project leader. This job is available as on-site only.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of research studies under the guidance of senior researchers
- Develop surveys using Qualtrics
- Assist with data collection, including focus groups
- Manage and prepare data for analysis
- Contribute to quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Help develop peer-reviewed publications, reports, and funding proposals
- Conduct literature reviews
- Assist with virtual training activities
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree, with preferred fields of Psychology, Sociology, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, or Business
- Expertise with Microsoft Office products
- Experience with one or more statistical software packages
- Strong technical writing skills, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Excellent attention to detail
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree
- Experience conducting social science research
- Experience with data management
- Ability to perform statistical analyses
- Experience with SAS statistical software and Qualtrics
- Knowledge about/experience working with people with disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision
Instructions for applying
Apply for the position directly to the NRTC and through Mississippi State University’s job website:
- Email your letter of application, resume or curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for at least three references to nrtcjobs@colled.msstate.edu.
- Submit your application through MSU Jobs, PARF Number 510027 (job title – Research Associate II-III).
For questions, contact Michele McDonnall at m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu. Learn more about our center at www.blind.msstate.edu.
Intermittent Worker
Area of Specialization: Program Implementation for Older Adults who are Blind/Low Vision
The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University invites applications for an Intermittent position, specializing in the program implementation for Older Adults who are Blind/Low Vision. The mission of the NRTC is to enhance employment and independent living outcomes for individuals who are blind or have low vision through research, training, education, and dissemination.
The primary responsibilities of this position are to perform a variety of duties to assist with training, resource development, and technical assistance activities of the National Research and Training Center (NRTC) on Blindness and Low Vision. Some travel is required for this position. The Older Blind Specialist exercises considerable independence and technical judgment in the performance of duties. This is an intermittent 12-month position. Remote work will be considered for this position.
Duties include:
- Assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive training and technical assistance program for agencies that provide older blind services
- Provide technical assistance to program administrators and direct service staff
- Develop collaborative relationships within the fields of aging and vision loss
- Review and create web-based technical assistance content
- Assist in identification of promising practices
- Attend and provide training at OIB-TAC annual conference
- The Older Blind Specialist may also assist with intensive technical assistance, developing reports, and peer-reviewed publications.
Minimum Qualifications are:
Bachelor’s degree, with preferred fields of Rehabilitation Counseling, Gerontology, Vision Rehabilitation, or a related field
Salary will be commensurate with individual’s background, education, and experience.
Preferred Qualifications are:
- Certification credentials/licensure in at least one rehabilitation-related area
- Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Gerontology, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy/Rehabilitation Teaching, Orientation & Mobility, or a closely related field
- At least three years of experience working directly with older adults.
- Experience presenting to groups of people.
- Excellent written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Knowledge and experience in the use of current and emerging assistive technology used by persons who have visual impairments
- Knowledge of the special needs of older adults with vision impairment
- Ability to create engaging training activities
- Ability to develop and implement training evaluations
- Expertise with a variety of software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation
Physical Requirements:
- No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
- Frequent external imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to the position; involves conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress.
Please apply for the position directly to the NRTC and through Mississippi State University's job website. Email your letter of application, resume, or curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for at least three references to nrtcjobs@colled.msstate.edu. Additionally, apply through the university's job website at https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu, PARF Number (Job title -Intermittent). For questions about the position, contact Kendra Farrow at kfarrow@colled.msstate.edu. Persons with disabilities, especially those with vision impairments, are urged to apply.
For more information about our center, view the NRTC website.