Research Specialist II

College of Health Professions and Sciences, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders:

The University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) is home to nationally recognized programs focused on health and wellness, and a respected faculty dedicated to teaching innovations and research partnerships. The college offers accredited programs in athletic training, communication sciences and disorders, physical therapy, and social work. CHPS also offers one of UCF’s largest majors, health sciences, as well as popular programs in sport and exercise science within the field of kinesiology. Through coursework, field experience, and inter-professional education, our students develop high-demand skills in healthcare and community-based initiatives for working with varied populations.

The Communication Technologies Research Center (CTRC) is a newly established research hub in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) focused on basic and applied research to solve communication problems through the combination of behavioral sciences, electrophysiology, assistive technology, and computational methods. Current projects are funded by NIH NIDCD and industry partners. We are seeking individuals who are passionate about research to collaborate with a new team of faculty, scientists, post-docs, and students. We are creating a vibrant, multi-disciplinary environment that includes experts in audiology, hearing science, neuroscience, electrical and biomedical engineering, speech science, voice science, and aerodigestive systems. Applicants should have enthusiasm for research, a mind for innovation and creativity, a desire to work in a thriving team atmosphere, and the capacity for acquiring expertise in new research techniques.

The School of CSD, founded in 1969 and accredited in 1987, is one of four schools/departments in the College of Health Professions and Sciences. CHPS is also part of the Academic Health Sciences Center, including the UCF Lake Nona Medical Center, the College of Medicine, and the College of Nursing. CSD is home to 33 full-time faculty members serving an average of 200 graduate and 700 undergraduate students. We have a strong history of excellence in research, teaching, and community service, and offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication sciences and disorders. CSD offers access to over 15,000 square feet of exceptional, newly renovated research, clinical, and simulation training facilities, including the CHPS Rehabilitation Innovation Center, the CTRC, and multiple faculty-led specialized research labs. The Communication Disorders Clinic serves as the centerpiece for clinical education and applied research. This 13,500 square foot state-of-the-art facility houses several specialty services, including audiology, the Aphasia House, the UCF Listening Center, the Fluency Disorders Clinic, the Voice Care Center, and the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) Center, which provides assistive technology services in four Florida counties for individuals across the spectrum of age and disability. Combined, these facilities and the environment provide extraordinary opportunities for leveraging powerful, real-world simulation resources and expertise to advance inter-professional research, education, and practice and revolutionize student education and future clinical practice. This is where collaboration leads to unprecedented healthcare solutions. 

Orlando may be one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, but it is also a vibrant and diverse city in a location that is central to many unique attractions. Orlando continues to rank well in affordability, job opportunities, and community, and is just 50 miles away from the nearest beach. Whatever activities you enjoy, you will find them here in Central Florida, whether it is being in the great outdoors, enjoying the arts and history, or visiting theme parks, farmers markets, or sporting events!

The Opportunity:

The UCF College of Health Professions and Sciences, Communication Technologies Research Center, is seeking well-qualified candidates for a Research Specialist II position. The successful applicant will join a team of faculty, scientists, engineers, clinicians, and students working in the newly formed CTRC. The team member will provide technical and scientific support directly to research projects. They will support simulation conceptualization, design, and implementation to integrate with planned and ongoing research efforts. They will help to establish, implement, and monitor laboratory policies and procedures related to a wide variety of research projects that fall within the four focal areas of the center: hearing technology, neuroscience, voice and aerodigestive disorders, and simulation and virtualization of communication scenarios. In carrying out the responsibilities described below with precision, rigor, and the utmost attention, the successful candidate will become an essential team member and take pride in meeting the research challenges undertaken by the CTRC.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical and scientific support directly to research projects.

• Support simulation conceptualization, design, and implementation to integrate with planned and ongoing research efforts.

• Establish, implement, and monitor laboratory policies and procedures related to federal, state, local, and industry-funded research projects supporting several faculty principal investigators.

• Assist with recruitment, communication, scheduling, and on-site guidance of research participants; assist with general laboratory operations, including organization, coordination among laboratory faculty/staff, and scheduling meetings.

• Assist with research project support activities, including literature searches.

• Assist with grant application submissions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219. Click here for more information

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in training students and staff in simulation technology.

• Experience in laboratory support or with management activities.

• Experience with appointment scheduling.

• Experience engaging in simulation, such as standardized patient, simulation targeting training in medical skills, use of virtual or augmented reality, or simulation for research.

• Experience working in an office or laboratory environment.

• History of successful collaboration with a team.

• Intermediate skills in keyboarding and use of Microsoft Office software or equivalent.

The most successful candidates may possess the following qualities: 

• Demonstration of strong organizational skills.

• Experience in a people-facing environment.

Additional Application Materials Required:

• Candidates should upload each of the following: a Resume and a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent.

• UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://jobs.ucf.edu/jobs/search

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

• This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to the availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

• Please provide a detailed resume including relevant experiences and a cover letter/letter of intent explaining why you think you would be a strong applicant for this position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program 

• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions 

• Education assistance 

• Flexible work environment 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

#LI-ONSITE

#CollegeofHealthProfessionsandSciences #UCFOpenings #ResearchSpecialist