Research Assistant - Newspapers/Political Influence (DeLuca)

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Overview

The Research Aide supports various research projects by collecting routine study data, assisting in the recruitment of participants, scheduling visits, preparing study materials, and organizing data. This role may involve providing peer support, working with diverse populations, and maintaining research documents according to protocols. Clear communication and strong organizational skills are essential for effectively interacting with clients, families, and research colleagues.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated ability to work independently, effectively, and efficiently under pressure while managing multiple tasks with limited supervision.
2. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain research documents according to regulations.
3. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with web-based data entry systems (e.g., REDCap).
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with clients, families, community partners, and research colleagues.
5. Basic computer proficiency, including the ability to enter data electronically and learn new software programs.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Experience providing peer support to individuals with histories of incarceration, mental illness, or substance use.
2. Prior experience working with populations suffering from serious mental health conditions or participating in research studies.
3. Bilingual in Spanish and English.
4. Valid driver's license.
5. Familiarity with human subject research regulations and previous experience coding, recording, and generating data reports.

Professor Kevin DeLuca in the Political Science Department and Institution for Social and Policies Studies is seeking to hire a research assistant to work on various data-intensive projects on the historical and contemporary influence of local newspapers in the political process. The RA will work closely with Professor DeLuca to help compile datasets of information about newspapers, politicians, journalists, and elections, and also help to clean, quality check, and analyze the compiled data. While a significant portion of the position involves data collection (e.g., finding historical newspaper articles in online archives, typing data from pdfs or old physical paper reports into a spreadsheet, etc.), the RA will meet regularly with Professor DeLuca to discuss progress, research ideas and share results.

Typical projects include:

• Collecting historical data on local newspaper circulation, endorsements, and financial statements
• Understanding the shift from partisan press to an independent press in the early 20th century
• Estimating the effect that corporate or individual ownership has on a newspaper’s political coverage and bias
• Learning about why newspapers make political endorsements, and estimating the effect of those endorsements on election outcomes
• Better understanding how voters learn from information provided by local newspapers
• Discovering more about how government policies (such as subsidized postage rates for newspapers) affected local news growth, bias, coverage of issues, and influence on politics

Principal Responsibilities

1. Codes and records data. 2. Uses computer terminal to input and retrieve data and generate reports. 3. Creates charts, illustrations and graphic representations of data. 4. Performs clerical functions incidental to research activities. Required Education and Experience Two years of related work experience and a high school level education; or the equivalent combination of experience and education.

Job Posting Date

08/03/2026

Job Category

Technician

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade B

Compensation Grade Profile

Hourly Range

$25.41

Time Type

Part time

Duration Type

Temporary / Casual (Fixed Term)

Work Model

Remote

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.