Research Assistant (PhD Student) in Bethesda, Maryland at AMER ASSOC OF COLL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

AACOM is seeking a project-based Research Assistant to support a medical education research study examining predictors of clinical confidence and readiness among graduating osteopathic medical students. This temporary, part-time position is ideal for a doctoral student or recent PhD graduate with strong quantitative research skills and experience conducting advanced statistical analyses in R.

The dataset has been fully assembled, research questions have been established, and the analytic framework has been developed. The selected candidate will execute the statistical analyses, prepare publication-quality tables and figures, and develop a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed medical education journal.

Our ideal candidate is someone who:

• Enjoys applying advanced statistical methods to educational research

• Has experience conducting exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using R

• Produces clean, reproducible statistical code and clear technical documentation

• Writes publication-quality scientific manuscripts

• Works independently while collaborating effectively in a remote environment

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, or AACOM, was founded in 1898 to lend support and assistance to the nation's osteopathic medical schools and to serve as a unifying voice for osteopathic medical education. The association is guided by its Board of Deans of member colleges of osteopathic medicine and various other member councils and committees.

AACOM represents and advances the continuum of osteopathic medical education by:

• Supporting our member institutions as they educate the future physician workforce

• Increasing awareness of osteopathic medical education and osteopathic medicine

• Promoting excellence in medical education, policy, research, and service

• Fostering innovation and quality throughout medical education

The Research Assistant will support a medical education research project by conducting advanced statistical analyses and preparing a publication-ready manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

The role includes:

• Conduct exploratory factor analyses (EFA) using Principal Axis Factoring, oblimin rotation, and parallel analysis

• Develop and compare confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models for independent and dependent variable constructs

• Perform multiple linear regression analyses examining three dependent variable subscales across seven independent variable clusters using both unadjusted and covariate-adjusted models

• Evaluate model assumptions and interpret statistical findings

• Produce publication-quality statistical tables and figures

• Prepare a publication-ready manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed medical education journal

• Draft the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections

• Present statistical findings in a clear and scientifically rigorous manner

• Incorporate feedback from project investigators throughout the manuscript development process

• Develop clean, well-commented, reproducible R code

• Maintain organized analytic documentation and workflows

• Collaborate with the research team through regular virtual project meetings

Our ideal team member will have the following:

• PhD in progress or completed in Statistics, Educational Research, Quantitative Methods, Biostatistics, Public Health, Psychology, or a related quantitative discipline

• Demonstrated proficiency using R for statistical analysis

• Experience conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multiple linear regression

• Demonstrated ability to prepare publication-quality scientific manuscripts

• Strong proficiency with R, including packages such as psych and lavaan

• Strong quantitative reasoning and statistical interpretation skills

• Excellent written communication and scientific writing abilities

• Ability to organize and document reproducible analytic workflows

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple project deadlines, and collaborate effectively in a fully remote environment

• Interest in medical education or health professions education research

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior first- or second-author publication in a peer-reviewed empirical journal

• Experience with structural equation modeling

• Experience analyzing survey data and large observational datasets

• Familiarity with medical education or health professions education research

This is a temporary, project-based, part-time position expected to last approximately eight weeks. The position is fully remote and offers a flexible work schedule, with up to150 total hours anticipated over the course of the project.

The hourly rate for this position is $25–$30 per hour, commensurate with experience.

This position is not benefits eligible.

AACOM is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and do not discriminate based on any legally protected status or characteristic. All employment decisions are made based on individual qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please inform your recruiter.

For consideration, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume or CV and one writing sample via Careers at AACOM on our website, aacom.org. Your cover letter should address your experience, qualifications, and why you are interested in joining the AACOM team.

To learn more about AACOM, please visit: aacom.org.