Research Data Assistant - Center for Social Work Research

Summary

Wayne State University is a public urban research university seeking a Research Data Assistant for its Center for Social Work Research. The role supports research, evaluation, and grant-funded initiatives through data collection and management, reporting compliance, basic analysis, qualitative research, and administrative coordination.

Responsibilities

• The Research Data Assistant supports research, evaluation, and grant-funded initiatives. The position is responsible for collecting, entering, organizing, cleaning, verifying, and reporting data to support research projects and federally and state-funded grant requirements. The position supports compliance with reporting requirements for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) 4 grant administered through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), including timely entry of agency-level and client-level data, and preparation of required reports
• Assist with data collection, entry, cleaning, coding, verification, and organization across multiple research and evaluation projects
• Enter and maintain client-level and project-level data in federal, state, and institutional reporting systems
• Submit federally mandated SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C records in SAMHSA’s Performance Accountability and Reporting System (SPARS) on a weekly basis, ensuring accurate and timely reporting
• Identify data discrepancies and assist with resolving data entry, coding, and reporting errors
• Conduct basic descriptive and bivariate data analyses as directed
• Support federal and state reporting requirements associated with the SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C records in SAMHSA’s SPARS and other assigned projects
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual reports of SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C submitted by grantees
• Prepare and maintain reporting materials and documentation to support accurate and timely submission of grant deliverables
• Monitor assigned reporting activities and deadlines and communicate outstanding or incomplete information to appropriate team members
• Assist with other SOR 4 grant-related data, reporting, and administrative activities as needed
• Assist with the preparation of research, evaluation, and grant reports by compiling data, tables, and summaries, and supporting documentation
• Assist with qualitative research activities, including scheduling interviews, taking notes, and completing transcription
• Conduct literature searches and reviews to support research, evaluation, and grant-writing activities
• Participate in SOR SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C project and team meetings and contribute to discussions regarding data collection, reporting, and project activities
• Participate in meetings with principal investigators, supervisors, project staff, research participants, and external partners as assigned
• Manage assigned tasks and priorities independently while maintaining regular communication with supervisors regarding progress, deadlines, and issues
• Provide general research, data, and administrative support across projects as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, or another social science discipline, or degree in progress in one of these fields
• Experience supporting social science research or evaluation projects
• Experience entering, verifying, coding, or managing data
• Experience with behavioral health, substance use, or community-based service systems
• Experience with federal or state reporting requirements
• Experience working in a team environment
• Experience with computer databases, data entry, or data management systems
• General understanding of behavioral health and substance use disorders and related service systems
• Knowledge of social science research and evaluation methods, including basic data collection and data management
• Ability to accurately enter, organize, clean, code, and verify data
• Ability to work with databases and federal and state data-reporting systems
• Ability to compile and organize information from multiple sources for reporting purposes
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize tasks, and meet the weekly established task deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the supervisor and SOR project team members
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams; ability to learn new databases and computer applications quickly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Experience with SPSS or similar statistical software preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, or another social science discipline, or degree in progress in one of these fields
• Experience supporting social science research or evaluation projects
• Experience entering, verifying, coding, or managing data
• Experience with behavioral health, substance use, or community-based service systems
• Experience with federal or state reporting requirements
• Experience working in a team environment
• Experience with computer databases, data entry, or data management systems
• General understanding of behavioral health and substance use disorders and related service systems
• Knowledge of social science research and evaluation methods, including basic data collection and data management
• Ability to accurately enter, organize, clean, code, and verify data
• Ability to work with databases and federal and state data-reporting systems
• Ability to compile and organize information from multiple sources for reporting purposes
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize tasks, and meet the weekly established task deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the supervisor and SOR project team members
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams; ability to learn new databases and computer applications quickly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment

Nice to Haves

• Experience with SPSS or similar statistical software preferred

Benefits

• Primarily remote work arrangement