Contact for HCRP Lab

Interested in joining the lab? 

Please contact Dr. Frietze (gafrietze@utep.edu) if you are interested in joining the Health Communication and Risk Perception (HCRP) Laboratory or would like more information about the type of research that we conduct. Graduate students who are interested in joining the lab are typically from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) PhD program.  There are also opportunities to join the lab as an undergraduate student enrolled at UTEP.  

Position Summary:
We are seeking a motivated and community-minded Research Assistant to join a dynamic research team conducting behavioral health research with human subjects. Our work includes survey research, randomized controlled trials, focus groups, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. The position offers hands-on training in every phase of the research process—from design to dissemination.

Key Responsibilities:
The Research Assistant will work under the supervision of faculty and in collaboration with graduate students, undergraduate students, staff, community health workers, and community partners. Specific duties will vary by project but may include:

• Conducting literature reviews to support research proposals and manuscripts
• Assisting with IRB protocol development and submission
• Recruiting human subjects from community-based settings (e.g., food banks, local health clinics, the university)
• Administering research protocols, including surveys, focus groups, and intervention activities
• Collecting, entering, and managing quantitative and qualitative data
• Analyzing data using appropriate software and methodologies
• Interpreting results and assisting with the preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations
• Attending and participating in regular team meetings
• Supporting community-engaged research and maintaining strong relationships with local partners

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of CITI training and current certification to conduct behavioral research with human subjects (or willingness to complete upon hire)
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work respectfully with individuals and communities
• Interest in behavioral health research and community-based work
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with research involving human subjects
• Experience with data collection or analysis (qualitative or quantitative)
• Familiarity with IRB processes
• Background or coursework in public health, psychology, social work, sociology, or a related field

What You'll Gain:

• Hands-on experience conducting behavioral health research
• Skills in data collection, analysis, and scientific writing
• Opportunities to co-author publications and present at professional conferences
• Mentorship and exposure to community-engaged research
• A supportive environment committed community impact

The laboratory is located at Campbell Building  (1101 N Campbell St).