Research Assistants Needed for Evaluation of Early Learning Quality Improvement Network

Overview:
Dr. Brenda Jones Harden, Professor Emerita, Department of Human Development and
Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD), is seeking
Undergraduate Research Assistants (URAs) to work in our lab. The URAs would be part of a
busy and thriving research-to-practice group – the Prevention and Early Adversity Research Lab(PEARL) in UMD’s College of Education. This position is ideal for a young professional wanting to work with children and families and/or seeking to attend graduate school at a later point.

Responsibilities:
The URA position is related to an evaluation of the District of Columbia’s Quality
Improvement Network for Early Learning. URAs would be expected to assist with home-visits in
Washington, D.C., assist with recruitment in childcare centers, score and enter data from child
assessments, conduct literature reviews using library databases, and to help with organizing data and
materials for the project.
This position will be primarily located at our lab, about a half-mile from the main UMD
College Park campus. The lab and most home visit locations are metro-accessible. However, it is
easier if URAs have their own transportation. Ideally, students should have availability on weekday
mornings, weekday evenings, and weekend mornings. Applications will be accepted on a rolling
basis. There are options to work in the lab for credit or volunteer hours.

Qualifications:
● Major in psychology, education, child development, family science, or a related discipline.
● Some experience working with children and families.
● Background using SPSS or other data entry programs is a plus, but not required.
● Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and organizational skills are required.
● Minimum 6 hours per week preferred.

How to Apply: Please send the following in one pdf file to Cassie Simons (csimons1@umd.edu)
● Resume or Curriculum Vita (CV).
● Half page (double-spaced) letter of interest describing the applicant’s related experiences,
interest in the position, and future career aspirations.
● Names and contact information for 1-2 references (references can come from work or
volunteer experience or academic advisors or instructors).
● An unofficial transcript for any undergraduate work completed.