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 community-engaged research, research implementation, evaluation, and translation.
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 an experienced applied research project manager to support and lead community-engaged research activities across PRC initiatives. This position has primary responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the core research project of the CDC-funded Prevention Research Center of Michigan and serves as the program lead for Housing Solutions for Health Equity, supporting applied research, evaluation, and translation activities focused on housing and land use strategies as a key social determinant of health.
Working closely with faculty investigators, research staff, and community partners, the Senior Research Specialist provides senior-level leadership for research implementation, evaluation, and translation. The role ensures research activities are conducted in alignment with project goals, funder requirements, and community priorities, and contributes to the dissemination of findings through scholarly and community-facing products. Responsibilities are currently supported by funded projects but may evolve to support additional PRC initiatives as programmatic needs change.
What You'll Do
- Lead implementation of community-engaged research across Prevention Research Collaborative initiatives, with primary responsibility for the CDC-funded Prevention Research Center of Michigan core research project and program leadership for Housing Solutions for Health Equity
- Provide strategic leadership for Housing Solutions for Health Equity, guiding research, evaluation, and translation activities in partnership with academic, community, and policy stakeholders
- Oversee development and execution of research protocols, timelines, and deliverables in collaboration with faculty investigators and interdisciplinary teams
- Guide the translation of housing and health research into practice- and policy-relevant products, ensuring alignment with PRC priorities and community needs
- Oversee implementation and evaluation activities, including monitoring progress, ensuring data quality, and synthesizing findings across projects
- Serve as a primary liaison to community partners and advisory groups, fostering strong relationships and supporting meaningful, sustained engagement
- Lead coordination and facilitation of meetings with community partners and Community Advisory Board members
- Oversee IRB submissions, amendments, and compliance activities to ensure adherence to regulatory and ethical standards
- Partner with faculty and research teams to disseminate findings to academic, practitioner, community, and policy audiences
- Represent the PRC in Prevention Research Center Network meetings and other national activities, in coordination with PRC leadership
- Contribute to the development of conference presentations, manuscripts, and other scholarly and applied products
- Contribute to the broader Prevention Research Collaborative strategy and support additional initiatives as funding and programmatic priorities evolve
Skills You Have
- Master's degree in public health, urban planning, social sciences, or a closely related field, Doctorate preferred.
- 5-6 years of experience leading community-based, applied research initiatives in public health, urban planning, or related fields, including 1-2 years of demonstrated leadership in community-engaged or participatory research, including building and sustaining multi-sector partnerships
- Deep understanding of land use, zoning, and urban planning policies and their implications for health and equity
- Experience overseeing research implementation and evaluation across complex, multi-partner projects
- Experience managing and mentoring research staff and students
- Expertise in qualitative research methods, including designing and conducting interviews and focus groups, and analyzing data using software such as MaxQDA
- Strong knowledge of human subjects research processes, including leading IRB submissions and ensuring regulatory compliance
- Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into actionable insights for academic, community, practitioner, and policy audiences
- Track record of contributing to scholarly and applied products, including manuscripts, reports, and presentations
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with community partners, faculty, and interdisciplinary teams
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives and priorities simultaneously
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative while contributing to collaborative, team-based environments
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: 3 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.