Research Assistant

This position is well suited for recent university graduates seeking structured, full-time research experience prior to pursuing advanced training (e.g., MD, PhD, MPH, or related programs). The role is entry-level in scope and provides close mentorship and supervision while offering a steep learning curve. The anticipated term for this position is two years. Responsibilities include supporting research projects by extracting, organizing, and interpreting data from various sources for problems of limited scope; working under supervision and in collaboration with data analysts and other collaborators on research design and presentations; performing literature searches (e.g., advanced PubMed) and synthesizing results concisely; assisting with interpretation and exploration of data; managing multiple research projects simultaneously; drafting, proofreading, and submitting manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals; and writing and managing human subjects (Institutional Review Board) approvals within and outside of UCSF. The candidate will learn to use professional concepts to conduct and / or support analytical studies or projects and acquire skills to analyze issues and problems, gather data and information, find and evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations.

Candidates should have a long-term interest in the field of health services research, health economics, public health, and/or public policy. This role requires the ability to be intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and able to learn quickly, manage multiple tasks, and communicate clearly in writing. Successful candidates typically demonstrate exceptional academic performance and intellectual independence, such as prior experience conducting original research projects, completing an honors thesis or senior capstone, or serving as a lead research assistant on a complex analytical project. The candidate must be self-directed and detail-oriented, with preference for those with and a strong communicator in written and spoken English.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a brief cover letter describing their research interests, prior analytical or research experience, and long-term academic goals.

Department Description :

The Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) provides emergency medical care to over 177,000 patients annually at the UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals at Mission Bay and Oakland and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.  DEM administrative and research staff support the work of 94 full-time faculty and 50+ part-time attending physicians, a residency program, fellowship programs and over 300 housestaff and students each year.  Our vision is to be the leader in compassionate, innovative and equitable emergency care for all people at all times.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree with a major in a related field, broadly defined (e.g., liberal arts, economics, public policy, and/or pre-medical background) and / or equivalent experience / training
• Skills to learn organization-specific and other computer application programs
• Basic communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality
• Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns
• Basic skills to analyze and research information and learn to synthesize large amounts of data with exquisite attention to detail
• Basic program and project management skills
• Ability to meet precise deadlines and be part of a fast-paced problem-solving team that works with minimum supervision and is extremely motivated
• Technical proficiency in standard Microsoft Office Software and ability to learn data hosting service platform
• High integrity and strong work ethic

Preferred Qualifications :

• Analytical abilities and familiarity with statistical software packages (e.g., R, STATA, or SAS, etc.)