How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline how your skills and experience align with the responsibilities of the role, including experience with school-based research, community-engaged research, research implementation, and evaluation.
Who We Are
About the Prevention Research Collaborative
The Prevention Research Collaborative brings together interdisciplinary research teams from the CDC-funded Prevention Research Center of Michigan, the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, the Healthy Minds Network, Housing Solution for Health Equity, and other affiliated federally funded initiatives. The PRC advances community-based prevention strategies through rigorous research, evaluation, and partnership with communities.
About the Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity
Driven by a shared passion for affecting lasting change, the faculty, students, and staff of HBHE work in the pursuit of an equitable, healthy future for all. Turning theory and research into actionable practice, we develop interventions and innovations that promote health, prevent disease, empower people to manage chronic illness and disabilities, and facilitate collective action for social change. Together, our academic community transforms the theoretical into actionable, the science into the social, applying our knowledge to eliminate health disparities and impact lives for the better.
Job Summary
The Prevention Research Collaborative (PRC), based in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, seeks a highly organized research professional to coordinate and support school-based research initiatives. This position has primary responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) Program and supporting additional K-12 research projects, including safe storage initiatives, in partnership with Michigan schools.
Working closely with faculty investigators, research staff, and school and community partners, the Research Area Specialist Intermediate will coordinate research implementation, data collection, and regulatory compliance activities. The role requires strong experience working within K-12 school settings in Michigan and the ability to manage multiple projects in dynamic, community-based environments.
In addition to project responsibilities, this position will contribute to broader Prevention Research Collaborative activities, including coordination of the PRC student training program and PRC operations support. Responsibilities are currently supported by funded projects but may evolve to support additional PRC initiatives as programmatic needs change.
What You'll Do
- Lead coordination and day-to-day implementation of the Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) Program evaluations and studies in school and community settings
- Support implementation of additional school-based research projects, including safe storage initiatives and other K-12 interventions
- Coordinate research protocols, timelines, milestones, and deliverables in collaboration with faculty investigators and research teams
- Build and maintain strong relationships with school and community partners
- Coordinate logistics for school-based programming and data collection activities, including scheduling, materials, and communication
- Oversee and support data collection in school settings, including training and supervision of data collectors and student staff
- Develop and maintain data tracking systems and ensure data quality and completeness
- Prepare and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, amendments, and compliance activities, as well as school/district research approvals
- Co-lead the PRC student training program, including scheduling, communication, and logistics
- Participate in meetings with community partners and research teams and contribute to collaborative planning efforts
- Contribute to presentations, reports, and dissemination of findings for academic, practitioner, and community audiences
- Participate in broader Prevention Research Collaborative activities and support additional initiatives as needed
Skills You Have
- Master's degree in education, public health, or a closely related field.
- 4-5 years of applied public health research or evaluation experience
- Minimum 2 years of experience coordinating research studies and data collection in Michigan school settings, with a strong understanding of district processes, administrative structures, and research approval requirements
- Experience supporting human subjects research processes, including IRB submissions, compliance, and clinical trials research (1-2 years preferred)
- Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently
- Demonstrated experience supervising or training staff, students, or data collectors
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and sustain relationships with school and community partners
- Experience with data management processes, including data entry and quality assurance
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams
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.
This position is classified as hybrid. Regular on-campus presence (2 days per week) is required, with required in-person meetings held on a regular basis (e.g., monthly or as project needs require).
Additional Information
This position is Term Limited: 2 years from hire date
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.