Position Overview

This position is fully funded by sponsored funds. 

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is located in the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development. CASCW supports the education and training of child welfare professionals, identifies and examines effective child welfare practice methods, informs the public and policy makers about various child welfare issues, and incorporates research and evaluation findings into School of Social Work curriculum and training opportunities.

The individual hired into this 12-month, 1.0 FTE, annually-renewable Researcher 5 (9742R5) position will work collaboratively with CASCW leadership to:

1. Develop and implement externally funded, child welfare-focused research projects
2. Seek additional opportunities via grant writing and community partnership

Currently funded projects include a study to better understand what supported children with complex mental/behavioral health needs and their families on their care journey, despite the ongoing challenges of accessing care in certain longer-term settings, like hospital emergency departments, and an ongoing collaboration to support implementation of a previously developed program evaluation framework. It is expected that the Child Welfare Researcher will carry out their work with attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of the research and evaluation process and while collaborating with others in this work, including University and external stakeholders (e.g., Department of Children, Youth, and Families, non-profit agencies, child welfare agencies, etc.). Primary duties will involve research and evaluation design and implementation (e.g. research design and instrument development, data collection and management, data analysis and writing technical and translational reports). The researcher in this position will also co-author reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, research briefs, and other dissemination products and present findings to a wide stakeholder audience, including researchers, administrators, and policy makers.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.  

Job Responsibilities

Conduct Research (90%)

• Co-design and implement research and evaluation projects involving both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies (e.g., research instrument design and development, data collection and management, data analysis, etc).Integrate a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of the research process.
• Collaborate on the development of reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, research briefs, and other dissemination products that provide useful information to researchers, practitioners, policy makers, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Develop, monitor, and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures, data management systems, institutional review board, and relevant policy and procedures processes for human subjects research.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including representatives of CASCW, the School of Social Work, the College of Education and Human Development, and local, state, regional, and national stakeholders and partners.
• Provide task supervision to graduate research assistants (GRAs), as appropriate to each research and evaluation project.
• Develop and implement processes to ensure that work plans and timelines meet project goals.
• Oversee reporting to funding agencies, such as progress reports, and ad hoc reporting requests.

Administration & Planning (10%)

• Lead or support the writing of grant proposals to obtain funding for project- or study-specific needs, and to support staff engaged in these activities, including proposals to national and state funders as well as to foundations.
• Participate in CASCW, project-specific, and SSW Council meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in social work, public health, education, or related social science discipline with one or more years of research or evaluation training
• Demonstrated capacity to consult and collaborate with external stakeholders from diverse fields, communities, and with diverse perspectives/experiences on project planning, research design, and dissemination
• Experience designing and completing analyses for research and evaluation projects that employ a variety of research methodologies
• Strong verbal and written communication skills â“ both technical and scholarly â“ to meet the diverse communication needs and styles of project stakeholders and the broader community
• Demonstrated ability to translate research and evaluation findings into reports and presentations accessible by frontline practitioners and educators
• Ability to work independently and in team-based settings
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds and identities
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in social work, family studies, education, or related field with substantial research & publication record
• Demonstrated project development and project management skills
• Experience providing technical assistance to community and University partners
• Knowledge of and experience working with statistical computing and coding software (Stata, SPSS, R, NVivo)
• Understanding of child welfare and/or foster care service delivery, including disparities and social inequities evident in these systems
• Understanding of evaluation issues pertinent to child welfare workforce development and systems change
• Direct practice experience working with children and families
   

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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