Assistant Researcher
Assistant Researcher
Temporary
Life Span Institute, University of Kansas JUNIPER GARDENS CHILDREN’S PROJECT
Position Description
The Juniper Gardens Children’s Project (JGCP; www.jgcp.ku.edu) is seeking to hire a temporary
Assistant Researcher to assist on a project focused on improving our understanding of how
children’s interactions with teachers and peers affect development in classrooms using speech and
location sensors.
We are seeking a temporary Assistant Researcher to work 50% FTE (20 hours per week). The
Assistant Researcher will work with guidance from the project Principal Investigator. Responsibilities
will include assistance with data collection activities with preschool and early elementary school
students and teachers, assessment administration, data entry and management, and team
collaboration. This position requires reliable transportation with a valid driver’s license and the ability
to be flexible in participating in school visits during the day. It also requires strong organizational
skills, attention to detail, and ability to work with a team of professionals. Please note that all offers of
employment are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the background check. Continuation
is dependent on satisfactory yearly evaluation and funding.
The position is at JGCP, located in downtown Kansas City, Kansas in the Children’s Campus of
Kansas City building, 444 Minnesota Ave, Suite 300, Kansas City, KS 66101.
This position will be a hybrid of on-site work and telework as deemed by supervisor.
Underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Job Duties
1. 75% - Facilitate data collection with children and teachers using standardized assessments,
sensors, observational measures, and surveys; build and maintain rapport with research partners
including families, teachers, and program administrators; communicate and work with research
partners to schedule and administer assessments.
2. 20% - Assist the project team with the preparation or research materials and delivery and
dissemination thereof to project staff and research partners; complete research tasks, such as
scoring and submitting data, data entry and checking, participant tracking; assist with overall data
management.
3. 5% - Attend data collection team and research project meetings.
Required Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s degree in related field, as evidenced by application materials.
2. Available a minimum of 3 mornings a week (8:00 am to 12:30 pm), as expressed in application
materials.
3. Six month’s minimum experience working with young children in school, daycare, home, or
community settings, as demonstrated in application materials.
4. Six month’s minimum experience administering assessments and conducting observations of
infants, toddlers and/or young children, as demonstrated in application materials.
5. Effective organizational skills as evidenced by application materials.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
1. This position requires reliable transportation and the ability to be flexible in scheduling
meetings with community partners and families.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Master’s degree or higher in social work, psychology, early childhood, special education,
counseling, or related field.
2. Experience participating in research projects related to early intervention/education.
3. Experience with culturally diverse children.
4. Fluent in Spanish and English, written and oral.
SALARY: $17.00-$20.00 hourly, at 50% FTE, commensurate with education and experience.
DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin October 22, 2021and will continue until a qualified
applicant pool has been identified.
START DATE: November 1, 2021 or when position is filled.
TO APPLY: For more information and to apply, go to employment.ku.edu/staff/20434BR
Please submit an online application, cover letter, resume/vitae and current contact information for
three professional references. Candidates who do not submit ALL of the above through the online
system, will not be considered. Please do not email application materials.
For questions about the position, please contact Kensey Colaco kensey.colaco@ku.edu If you have
questions about the application process, contact Diana Skill at dskill@ku.edu .
Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the
background check.
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national
origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender
identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is
also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding
the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the
Office of Institutional Opportunity & Access, IOA@ku.edu , Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center,
1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons,
Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission
Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas
medical center campuses).