Researcher 1 - Fond du Lac Community-based Researcher - Military Veterans

Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team (MK-MDT) conducts research on dementia and its associated risks and co-morbidities in collaboration with Indigenous and rural communities in the Great Lakes Region. As part of its efforts to address health disparities in Indigenous communities, the MK-MDT will conduct two research projects in collaboration with the Fond du Lac Band of the Minnesota Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe. The first one focuses on implementing a poetry-based therapeutic program for Indigenous people living with dementia. This project aims at studying the impact of poetry on the wellbeing and care of people living with dementia in the Indigenous context. The second project focuses on understanding the impact of colonization on Indigenous cardiovascular health. Using interview-based methods and community-based approaches, the team will implement both projects in a culturally safe way. This is a hybrid position (2 days per week in office in Duluth and the rest remotely).

The MK-MDT is hiring a Community-based Researcher, who is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of the Minnesota Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe. This position is a full- time, one-year contract with possibility of renewal. The Community-based Researcher will have key responsibilities for research projects focused on dementia and cardiovascular health. The successful candidate does not need to have research experience but will have an interest in Indigenous health in Northern Minnesota and familiarity with the Fond du Lac Tribal Nation.

Key responsibilities:
Act as liaison between the researchers and the Tribal community, as well as the Tribal Council.
Work with the team to conduct the research and provide regular project updates to Health Directors and Leadership.
Be involved in all aspects of the research process such as relationship building, recruitment, data collection, collaborative data analysis with the team, and collaborative dissemination.
Adhere to ethical data storage and management practices for all project related data.
Attend community events and answer any questions related to the research.
Conduct key informant interviews and facilitation of focus groups.
Assist with member checking with participants and Community Advisory Group members.
Contribute to developing presentations and presenting findings to various audiences (local, regional, national, and international).

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.
Required qualifications:
BA/BS or a combination of related education and experience to equal 4 years.
Ability to travel, valid Minnesota Driver's License.
Experience working with the Fond du Lac Band of Minnesota Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred qualifications:
Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Knowledge of health and community services or programs at the community or county level.
Interest in the health of older adults and/or age-related neurological conditions.
Willingness to learn community-based participatory research approaches and other research techniques.
Comfort with community outreach and community engagement.

Applicants with no previous experience in research will be considered. Training on research methods will be provided by our team.