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Research Assistant, Minneapolis VA Evidence Synthesis Program

Work Days: M-F; full-time paid position at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Contact: Submit application materials to wei.duanporter@va.gov and adrienne.landsteiner@va.gov

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • BA or BS required in biologic sciences, psychology, or related field
  • U.S. Citizen 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • MS or MPH 
  • Excellent organizational, time and communication skills. 
  • Excellent writing and data visualization skills
  • Great attention to detail
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary teams across a broad range of topics
  • Experience in participating in research areas such as primary care, disease prevention, complex care interventions, social determinants of health, implementation science, health care delivery
  • Scientifically curious, creative, and collaborative 
  • Experience in systematic review methods

 

COMPENSATION

  • GS: 7-9 Research Assistant position, depending on qualifications and experience
  • Position is eligible for full benefits.   
  • Position will be funded full-time for 24 months with likely funding thereafter.

 

EVIDENCE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Minneapolis VA Evidence Synthesis Program (VA ESP) is a nationally funded multidisciplinary team of clinician-scientists and methodologists with extensive experience in preparing scientifically rigorous, readable, and relevant reviews to inform VA policy and improve the health of Veterans (www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp). We partner with other national groups and assist in clinical guideline development and evidence-based health care delivery. Our research group also works with the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/centers/index.html and conducts reviews to support guideline development by national professional societies and foundations. We conduct 5-6 reviews annually across diverse clinical topics; these vary in partners, timelines and report types including full systematic reviews, rapid reviews, and technical briefs. We employ and develop state-of-the-art methods to analyze and effectively communicate results. We work closely with partners and topic nominators to refine topic scope and questions, develop review protocols, and describe practice and policy implications of review findings. Reviews are peer-reviewed and disseminated online as Medline Indexed publications. Dissemination products include executive summaries, journal manuscripts, in-person and virtual presentations, and policy briefs. 

Our group is situated within the Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research (CCDOR), a VA Health Systems Research Center of Innovation www.ccdor.research.va.gov . CCDOR includes 26 core investigators, 8 affiliate investigators, and over 50 research and administrative staff. CCDOR supports over 70 funded projects and several post-doctoral programs; it is affiliated with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and Medical School. 

 

 

 

POSITION DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Research Assistant with the Minneapolis VA ESP, the successful applicant will work collaboratively with a team of experienced researchers and take a vital role in conducting high-quality systematic reviews to inform and support the work of front-line clinicians, leadership and policymakers. Duties for this position will involve assisting with all stages of conducting a systematic review including: performing literature searches; retrieving articles identified in the literature search; identifying articles to be included in the review; abstracting data from relevant literature; performing statistical analyses; drafting tables and figures; assisting with report drafts, peer-reviewed manuscripts and/or presentations.

 

Additional duties and responsibilities may include: 

  1. Assist in scheduling meetings and/or conference calls
  2. Assist in project management including tracking deadlines and deliverables

 

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, please submit the following documents to Drs. Adrienne Landsteiner (adrienne.landsteiner@va.gov) and Wei Duan-Porter (wei.duanporter@va.gov):

  1. CV/resume
  2. Cover letter briefly describing experience, skills and interest relevant to this position
  3. All educational transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Your degree must be conferred on your transcripts.
  4. References (3) that can provide input into your recent professional experience and qualifications relevant to this position

 

Expected start date is April 2026.