Research Associate, Public Health

Who We Are

About Social Care in Chronic Disease Collaborative: Established in 2019, the Social Care in Chronic Disease Collaborative?s mission is to advance the science on addressing social context in chronic disease management. The collaborative engages in interdisciplinary research and evaluation, working to translate research and innovations into clinical and public health practice and policy advancement.

About the Department: The position will be based in the Department of Health Behavior and 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, and empower people to manage chronic illness and disabilities.

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

The Social Care in Chronic Disease Collaborative is seeking part-time Research Associates to support a federally funded diabetes intervention study. These positions will focus on participant recruitment and telephone-based data collection. Responsibilities include conducting cold calls and ongoing outreach, responding to participant inquiries, screening potential participants for eligibility, obtaining informed consent, enrolling eligible participants, and administering scheduled survey assessments. Research Associates will also maintain accurate study documentation and communicate follow-up needs to the research team in accordance with study protocols, Institutional Review Board requirements, and confidentiality standards.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Participant Recruitment: Support daily recruitment activities, including outreach, eligibility screening, informed consent, and participant enrollment. Conduct cold calls and respond to incoming messages from interested participants. Communicate follow-up needs to appropriate staff
• Data Collection: Administer phone-based survey assessments at scheduled time points throughout the study period. Document participant interactions and assess study eligibility
• Documentation & Protocol Adherence: Maintain accurate, timely study documentation; enter and update participant records; and ensure all activities align with IRB requirements, study protocols, and confidentiality standards
• Collaboration: Work closely with the research team to coordinate participant scheduling, communicate recruitment and retention updates, and flag issues or deviations promptly to support smooth study operations

• Bachelor?s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Public Policy, or a related social science field
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet calling targets
• High level of professionalism, strong organizational skills, and a consistent work ethic

• Demonstrated experience with data collection for research projects
• Previous administrative, customer service, reception, or program-support experience
• Experience maintaining records, spreadsheets, attendance data, or other tracking systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and REDCap
• Individuals with bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish or Arabic are encouraged to apply

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.

• 15-20 hours per week, including days and evenings or weekends

• School of Public Health Building 1, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI
• We are currently using a hybrid work model. Staff will be asked to work fully in-person for orientation

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.