Undergraduate Research Assistant – SF State CREATE with Dr. Carmona in Public Health (Federal Work Study only)

Position Description:

SF State CREATE is launching an exciting new Federal Work-Study (FWS) undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity program for Spring 2026.  Students gain paid, mentored research experience and career-ready skills while contributing to real faculty projects and presenting their work at semester’s end.  Students will also take part in monthly SF State CREATE professional development sessions focused on building confidence, identity and community as researchers, workforce skills and professional habits, and graduate school readiness.  If selected for this position, the student will work with the designated faculty member (listed below) on their research or creative project for the Spring 2026 semester.

General Job Information

***MUST BE WORK-STUDY ELIGIBLE*** (No Exceptions)

• Confirm your work-study award by looking at your financial aid package in MySFSU.  You must have at least $2000 left on your award for this semester, hold no other work-study position and have no other research funding, to be eligible for this position.  You will be asked to confirm the total amount of your work-study award.
• The position requires U.S. I-9 verification employment eligibility. *We are unable to hire international students (J-1 or F-1 status) for this position, as this is a federal work-study position.

Hourly Rate: $20/hour
Hours: ~6-10 hours/week (total number of hours for Spring semester is ~ 100 or more depending upon available financial aid work study award to the student); meetings Tuesday and Wednesday early afternoon (time TBD)

Dates: Early February, 2026 – May 29, 2026
Location: HSS 314

The student assistant will also be expected to attend SF State CREATE’s four professional development cohort sessions on February 13, March 6, April 3 and May 1 from 10-11:30am and will be expected to present their work at a showcase at the end of the semester (date and time TBD).

Position Overview
Dr. Nancy Carmona, Assistant Professor of Public Health at San Francisco State University, is seeking a student research assistant for a project that uses community-engaged research to understand how extreme heat affects maternal and infant health in San Francisco, especially in neighborhoods facing higher social and environmental vulnerability. We will combine data analysis of heat exposure and birth outcomes with interviews from pregnant/postpartum people and frontline staff at community-based organizations to identify practical needs and solutions. As a student on the qualitative research team, you will help develop and pilot-test interview questions, draft the IRB application, and support outreach and recruitment planning with community partners. If timing allows, you may assist with early interviews and/or transcription. You’ll also help translate early epidemiologic results into clear, community-informed recommendations. The goal is to produce public-facing products—including maps, short briefs, and actionable recommendations—that community partners and decision-makers can use for climate-resilient maternal health planning, not just academic publications. Strong performance may lead to continued work beyond the semester, including deeper involvement in qualitative analysis, policy brief development, and community dissemination.

Primary Responsibilities

The student research assistant will engage in hands-on, mentored research activities, including: 

• Co-developing community-engaged interview questions with the research team and community partners 
• Helping to draft and assemble the IRB application materials (protocol language, recruitment text, consent forms) 
• Creating recruitment and outreach plans with community-based organizations (scripts, flyers, messaging)
• Pilot-testing the interview guide (practice interviews, feedback, revisions) 
• Supporting interview logistics (scheduling, note-taking, tracking participation) 
• If timing allows: assisting with conducting interviews and/or transcribing audio recordings 
• Contributing to early thematic summaries of interview data (memos, emerging themes) 
• Translating quantitative/epidemiologic findings into public-facing products (1-page briefs, plain-language summaries, map captions) 
• Drafting community-informed recommendations for heat safety and maternal health planning

Preferred Qualifications

• All majors welcomed. Majors encouraged to apply: Public Health, Nursing, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Geography, Women and Gender Studies, and Communication Studies and Urban Studies. 
• Sophomore-Senior standing preferred. 
• Strong writing, attention to detail, reliability and comfort communicating with community partners/participants. 
• Interest in community-engaged research; willingness to learn interviews, transcription, and thematic analysis. 
• Experience with any of the following is a plus: qualitative research, outreach and recruitment, and creating public-facing products.