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, applied 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 & Health Equity Solutions, 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 & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, seeks a Research Area Specialist Associate to support community-based data collection and evaluation across PRC initiatives, with a focus on violence prevention, positive youth development, and housing.

This position will support multiple community-based research studies in Flint, Michigan, with primary responsibility for coordinating and managing field-based data collection activities. The role includes overseeing data collection logistics, supervising temporary field staff, and working closely with community partners to ensure high-quality, community-engaged research implementation.

The ideal candidate will bring strong organizational skills, experience managing neighborhood-level data collection, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse community stakeholders.

Responsibilities are supported by funded projects and may evolve to support additional PRC initiatives as programmatic needs change.

What You'll Do

Coordinate and implement neighborhood-level survey data collection and evaluation activities across PRC initiatives

• Lead field-based data collection efforts, including scheduling, logistics, and quality control
• Recruit, train, and supervise temporary data collectors and student staff
• Develop and maintain data tracking systems to ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of data collection
• Support development and refinement of survey instruments and data collection protocols
• Work closely with community partners to support data collection efforts and maintain strong, respectful relationships
• Conduct field visits and oversee data collection activities in community settings
• Support qualitative data collection and analysis, including interviews and focus groups
• Assist with data cleaning, management, and preliminary analysis
• Contribute to reports, presentations, and dissemination of findings for community and academic audiences
• Support and contribute to external communications and partnership development efforts, including coordinating outreach and maintaining relationships with community stakeholders
• Participate in meetings with research teams and community partners
• Participate in broader PRC activities and support additional initiatives as needed

Skills You Have

• Bachelor's degree in public health, social sciences, urban planning, or a related field, Master preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in applied research or program implementation, including field-based data collection
• Experience working in partnership with Flint communities or similar community-based settings
• Experience managing and supervising field data collection teams, including training staff or students
• Experience with community-based or participatory research approaches
• Familiarity with survey design and data collection platforms (e.g., Qualtrics)
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis (e.g., interviews, focus groups, MaxQDA)
• Experience contributing to reports, presentations, or other dissemination products
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and sustain relationships with community partners and research teams
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently
• 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 based in Flint, Michigan and is classified as hybrid. Regular in-office presence (1-2 days per week) is required, with increased in-person time during periods of active data collection and field staff supervision. In-person meetings in both Flint and Ann Arbor are also required on a regular basis. Work schedules will be determined in coordination with the supervisor upon hire and may vary based on project and operational needs.

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.

Company Name: University of Michigan
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