Research Opportunities

The research community at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences has opportunities for our MSW students to gain hands-on experience in applied research activities.

Current opportunities are listed below. Please check back regularly as we will update this as new opportunities develop. Please note that some of these are paid opportunities and some are unpaid. This information is provided below.


Graduate student research assistant needed for community-based project

Posted October 2023

Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing assistant professor Elliane Irani is looking for a Case Western Reserve University graduate student to join her team as a part-time research assistant.


Research Position

Posted May 2023

We are an established Oral Health Disparities Group at Case Western Reserve University looking for qualified individuals at the Masters or Ph.D level to fill Research Associate or Research Assistant positions. Our federally funded clinical trial grants are in community settings such as primary care physician offices and senior housing sites. The overarching goal is to reduce and prevent oral diseases and improve overall systemic health. Our positions will be an ideal research environment for candidates looking to expand their research skills (primary data collection, managing and coordinating large patient populations, secondary data analysis and hypothesis generation, research methodology, clinical trials, statistical analysis). Further, candidates can gain experience in grant writing skills.

The candidate’s responsibilities include activities related to federally sponsored-research, assisting in training of study staff in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and development of the protocol, and manual of procedures. The candidate will be involved in all aspects of the funded grants including recruitment, data collection, and retention activities, as well as preparing scientific reports. The responsibilities of the position also include maintaining collaborative relationships with faculty, investigators, centers, community partners, stakeholders, and other academic and clinical institutions. We seek highly motivated and dependable individuals with a strong background in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and the design and conduct of health-related research. 

For PhD level candidates, teaching a graduate level research methods course will be a possibility. Qualifications include a PhD or Masters in any of these areas: Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field.

Contact:  Candidates can contact shelley.curtan@case.edu OR suchitra.nelson@case.edu


CWRU Population and Community Health Initiative Graduate Assistant

Posted May 2023

The Graduate Assistant (GA) will work with the CWRU Population and Community Health Initiative to support community organizing and mobilizing efforts aimed at improving health outcomes for underserved populations that are a part of Cleveland’s Midtown neighborhood. The Graduate Assistant will work under the direction of the Steering Committee of the PCHI (Population and Community Health Initiative) and will collaborate with other stakeholders within the School of Medicine, across the University, and among diverse community partners. The GA will be an integral member of the PCHI Steering Committee, support the implementation of a community-engaged planning process, and assist in the coordination and facilitation of community-based meetings and events. Additional responsibilities include supporting the community-engaged planning process towards a one-year action plan and a 3-year strategic framework and assisting in the development and implementation of community outreach and engagement activities.

  • Enrolled in a graduate program in public health, social work or a related field. 
  • Experience in community organizing and engagement, preferably in a health-related context. 
  • Must be able to represent the PCHI in a professional demeanor. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Reporting to: Kristina Knight, PhD, MPH
  • Immediate need
  • Hours: 15-20 during the school year, possibly more during the summer
  • Pay rate: $16-$18 per hour

Contact:  Kathryn Chapman, MEd
Director of Training and Mentoring
Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
Case Western Reserve University
Office: 216-368-6064 
Email: kathryn.chapman@case.edu