Job Summary
This posting is for a remote position as a Research Area Specialist Associate who will work in the Department of Family Medicine. The Research Area Specialist Associate will support study-related activities on a variety of federally funded research projects focused on health outcomes among people with disabilities, with a specific focus on working with people with developmental sensory disabilities. The Principal Investigator and supervisor for this position in Dr. Tyler G. James, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine.
The James Lab research group currently has several funded projects including:
- Community-based HIV testing accessibility for people with disabilities, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
- Health information accessibility for people with sensory disabilities, funded by the National Library of Medicine
Dr. James is committed to actively mentoring and training the Research Area Specialist in quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and mixed methods. He will also support the Research Area Specialist's professional development and networking with other mixed methods scientists and research analysts. This position is term-limited based on available grant funding through 09/2026, with potential for extension based on funding availability.
Responsibilities*
- Assist the principal investigator with compliance and reporting to funding and regulatory agencies (e.g., NIH, IRB), including but not limited to drafting Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) and IRB protocols.
- Assist with data analysis activities including preparing quantitative codebooks and variable coding, qualitative coding, and qualitative thematic analysis.
- Co-author scientific posters, presentations, and manuscripts with principal investigators and study teams.
- Communicate with research team members and community advisory groups across multiple projects.
- Coordinate, schedule, and document study-related meetings, including meetings with the internal study team, collaborators, co-investigators, and community-based partners.
- Coordination of full-team meetings of Dr. James's research group.
- Develop protocols and procedures for study tasks, in collaboration with the research team.
- Engage stakeholders' including community advisory member organizations, colleagues in the Department of Family Medicine, and colleagues in other departments and institutions' throughout the project period.
- Lead recruitment and data collection efforts for multiple public health and health services-related research projects. This will include interacting with participants, data collection, and payment of participant incentives. Data collection activities include quantitative and qualitative approaches.
- Monitor and keep the research team informed on progress of the study including recruitment, enrollment, data collection, institutional approvals, and budgets.
- Work collaboratively with other team members.
Additional training and on-boarding will be provided.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in public health, health education/promotion, library/information science, or related field.
- Credentialed as a Certified Health Education Specialist, Master Certified Health Education Specialist, Consumer Health Information Specialist, or Certified Clinical Research Coordinator.
- Excellent communication skills in written English and strong presentation skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, professionalism, attention to detail, ability to work independently but also within a team, personable, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Experience and/or expertise in conducting survey studies, qualitative interviews and focus groups, and observational checklists.
- Experience and/or expertise in deafness, blindness, or DeafBlindness, and accessibility for these populations (e.g., captioning, Braille, large print).
- Knowledge of research principles and practices, and ability to respect and protect confidential and highly sensitive information.
- Ability to work with diverse teams of people in a diplomatic, collaborative and effective manner.
- Access to reliable high-speed Internet.
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's degree in public health, health education/promotion, library/information science, or related field.
- Experience applying the National CLAS Standards and other health literacy principles in health education development.
- Experience working on grant-funded multidisciplinary research teams.
- Experience working with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
- Experience writing and editing communications (i.e., emails, meeting agendas and notes, summary documents) that are used with various audiences.
- Familiarity with research budget pre-award and post-award processes, terminology, and policies, including indirect costs, direct costs, reimbursement, etc.
- Proficiency working with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Self-directed and detailed-oriented with excellent organization and time management skills.
Work Schedule
This is a 32 hr/week position.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.