University of New England

Compensation

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Company Description The University of New England (UNE) is Maine’s largest private university, offering innovative education with campuses in coastal Maine, a vibrant presence in Tangier, Morocco, and comprehensive online degree programs. UNE is home to Maine’s only medical and dental schools, supporting a mission rooted in health education and an interprofessional approach. The university also provides education in pharmacy, nursing, and various allied health professions, emphasizing collaboration and excellence. Research Assistant: High-Intensity Balance Training for Older Adults (Lyon) Position Overview The Research Assistant will support the pilot implementation and evaluation of a novel high-intensity balance training protocol for older adults. The project aims to rigorously assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering objectively measured high-intensity balance exercises to reduce fall risk and improve functional outcomes for older adults in community and clinical settings. Location: Onsite (University of New England Portland Campus) and Remote Time Commitment: 10 hours per week, December 15-May 15 Pay Rate: $20 per hour Key Responsibilities • Assist in protocol development and refinement, drawing on preliminary pilot data and standardized balance intensity assessment tools (BIS and RPS). • Recruit, screen, and enroll older adult participants (aged 65+) from community clinics, rehabilitation centers, and aging networks. • Schedule and support delivery of balance training sessions in a clinical research laboratory, following a standardized protocol: 1 hour/session, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. • Conduct pre-, mid-, and post-intervention assessments including physical (balance and mobility capacity), self-reported outcome measures, and structured acceptability surveys. • Record and monitor session fidelity, participant engagement, perceived stability (RPS), and exercise intensity (BIS) during all intervention visits. • Ensure participant safety, document any adverse events, and track adherence and retention rates across all study phases. • Collect, manage, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. • Contribute to thematic analysis of interview transcripts, content, and survey results addressing intervention acceptability, feasibility, and participant experience. • Prepare results/products for effective knowledge translation: assist with posters, abstracts, grant submissions, and publications after study completion. • Support protocol documentation, Institutional Review Board (IRB) materials, and recruitment tools. Qualifications • Bachelor’s or graduate-level training in physical therapy, exercise science, biomedical sciences, or a health field. • Interest in research as part of a future clinical, academic, or other research oriented career. • Interest in or experience in clinical research, geriatrics, neurorehabilitation, or implementation science. • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow standardized procedures. • Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, especially with older adults and clinical partners. • Willingness to work flexible hours as needed to accommodate participant schedules. Professional Development Benefits • Mentorship in contemporary research methods, protocol development, and quantitative/qualitative analysis. • Hands-on experience contributing to impactful research targeting Maine’s aging population and rural communities. • Opportunities for conference presentations, publication co-authorship, and external grant preparation. • Networking with clinical, academic, and research personnel at UNE and regional health systems. Team and Supervision • Principal Investigator: Dr. Marissa Lyon, PT, PhD, Assistant Professor, UNE. • Additional team members: Dr. Katherine S. Rudolph, PT, PhD, Professor, UNE.