Careers

General Summary: 

The Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging in the Gerontology Institute was created to help municipalities, nonprofits, and other organizations plan for an increasingly older population while providing training opportunities for students. The Center conducts research, develops analytic tools and information, and consults with governmental and nongovernmental groups and actively seeks out new opportunities to extend their reach and impact at the community and organizational level. Over the past decade, the Center has become a dynamic hub dedicated to studying various aspects of aging while actively involving the community in its research endeavors. Housed within Boston’s only public university, the Center serves as a bridge between academic researchers, health and social service professionals, and local residents, aiming to address pressing issues and improve the quality of life for older adults. The Center braids together threads of community engagement, student training, and scholarship to create a fun and collaborative place to work. The Senior Research Associate within the Center for Social and Demographic Research in Aging will be responsible for managing the Center’s program evaluation projects and will assist in expanding projects to promote the demographic and community-engaged research capacity of the Gerontology Institute, to serve the research and evaluation needs of community organizations that serve older adults and to provide training for students, including community engagement. The Senior Research Associate works with high degree of independence in designing, seeking funds for, and carrying out research projects.

Examples of Duties: 

• Design competitive research projects, either in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or investigator-
• initiated funding opportunities;
• Ensure adherence to schedule and budget estimates for multi-site projects;
• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations to clients;
• Both independently and in collaboration with other senior investigators, identify promising directions for
• research consistent with the mission of the CSDRA and Institute;
• Develop and submit for publication in peer review journals articles that contribute to advancing the knowledge
• base;
• Initiate and facilitate regular communication with co-investigators on research projects;
• Manage research projects in a responsible and timely fashion, troubleshooting and identifying needed
• modifications, when difficulties arise;
• Work with the Director of Finance, Grants and Operations and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
• (ORSP) to assure proposals meet both university and funding organization specifications and that funded
• projects are managed appropriately;
• Participate in recruiting, training and supervising Research Assistants for research projects; manage the efforts
• of graduate student employees, including recruiting and training;
• Develop and implement strategies for effective dissemination to interested parties, including national
• conference presentations, funding agencies and service providers;
• Maintain in an organized and accessible manner, all files, documents and reports related to Center projects;
• Participate in all team meeting and external meetings
• Plan and execute virtual focus groups· Participate in qualitative analysis and interpretation
• Assist with the fielding of a web-based survey in a national setting
• Work collaboratively to produce written materials and reports for external funder

Qualifications: 

Social science doctoral degree and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience and quantitative research methods and skills are required. Prior experience with project management, research, and demonstrated ability to work independently required. Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis, survey design, survey administration, data management and statistical analysis preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required. Training or work experience focusing on older populations is preferred.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 32             

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of June 30, 2028, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.Is this grant funded?

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.