Main Purpose of this Position:
The Research Assistant will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support a mobile health (m Health) intervention project funded by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH). This project focuses on developing and optimizing a mobile app to reduce chemsex-related harms among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia. The RA will be responsible for coordinating research activities, supporting app development, managing data collection and analysis, and assisting in project administration.
Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the tech team and app developers to develop, deploy, test, and refine the mobile app and its features, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
• Support in the development and management of surveys and interview topic guides, ensuring they align with research objectives and study protocols.
• Recruit study participants through community outreach, online platforms, and collaboration with local NGOs.
• Onboard participants into the mobile app, guiding them through the registration process and initial setup.
• Provide ongoing support to participants, addressing technical issues, answering questions, and ensuring high levels of engagement and retention.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of all participant data, including their responses.
• Liaise with app-affiliated clinics to coordinate participant referrals, appointment scheduling, and follow-up care.
• Ensure seamless integration of clinic services with the app, facilitating smooth operations and participant access to clinical support.
• Prepare and maintain all necessary documentation for Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions and regulatory compliance.
• Assist in the preparation of research manuscripts, reports, and grant applications.
• Organize and coordinate research meetings, including preparing agendas, minutes, and action items.
• Communicate regularly with the research team, tech team, clinic staff, and community partners to ensure smooth project execution.
• Engage with participants, providing updates, collecting feedback, and fostering a supportive research environment.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Health, Psychology, Behavioral Science, Social Science, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in public health, clinical, or behavioral science research. Experience or interest in m Health, digital health technologies, or mobile app development and research is a bonus.
• Experience with participant recruitment, survey interviews, in-depth interviews, participant engagement in research studies, and familiarity with Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with developing and deploying digital assessments and surveys is highly desirable.
• Strong learning attitude with a willingness to acquire new skills, adapt to new technologies, and embrace continuous improvement.
• Fluent in Bahasa Malaysia and English; proficiency in Chinese or Tamil is a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations, particularly MSM.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Salary Scale:

• RM2500 - RM2900 per month, depending on qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline:
16 September 2024
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please send your resume and a cover letter to mhealth@um.edu.my. If you have questions about the position, please contact us at the same email address. Include the job reference number (Ref. No: Chems09/2024) in the subject line when applying or asking further questions.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: RM2,900.00 per month
Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Preferred)

Job-related location requirement:

• Candidates must be within a 25-mile radius.

Application Deadline: 09/16/2024