Research Area Specialist Senior

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 describe your specific interest in the position and highlight the skills and experience that directly relate to the position.

The Demography of Aging, Disability and Care Program at U-M's Institute for Social Research (ISR) seeks a Research Area Specialist Senior to support multiple projects and initiatives across the Institute for Social Research and Michigan Medicine. We are seeking a research scientist and implementation expert to drive a portfolio of global aging-focused research studies spanning sensory health, cognitive assessment, and population-based health.

This role will contribute to instrument and protocol design and analysis, oversee vision and eye health assessments across international collaborations, and help coordinate the standardization of sensory health measures across research networks. A strong background in implementation science is essential, with responsibility for translating scientific protocols and research objectives into practical, feasible approaches for implementation across diverse settings and teams.

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific leadership, implementation expertise, and project management skills. They will serve as a liaison across institutions, vendors, and collaborating teams around the world, while also contributing directly to the day-to-day coordination and execution of projects. This multi-project role requires the ability to move fluidly between scientific guidance, project oversight, and hands-on operational support to advance projects from planning through implementation.

This position is posted at the Research Area Specialist Senior level and may be underfilled at the Research Area Specialist Intermediate level, depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, and education. The position will report to the Principal Investigator. The title, salary, and scope of responsibilities will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications. Candidates at either level are encouraged to apply.

We are currently unable to consider candidates who are not authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, we are not offering visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have appropriate work authorization at the time of application.

30% Provide scientific guidance on protocol design, fieldwork logistics, and monitoring approaches

• Direct instrument development and study design, including adaptation of standardized assessments (e.g., HCAP) for cognitive, psychosocial, and sensory domains
• Develop and standardize field protocols for sensory assessments (e.g., vision, hearing, olfaction, taste)
• Offer scientific input on emerging collaborations and new project concepts

20% Oversee field data collection and quality assurance

• Monitor and ensure the quality and consistency of collected data on an ongoing basis
• Present quality assurance findings and study updates to collaborating teams on a recurring basis
• Problem solve with the field teams on any implementation related challenges

20% Serve as liaison across institutional and vendor partnerships

• Act as primary point of contact between collaborating organizations and internal study teams
• Maintain relationships with equipment/instrument vendors supporting data collection
• Coordinate with data core teams to align on deliverables and action items

30% Support project management and cross-study collaboration

• Support the day-to-day coordination of project activities, including scheduling, meeting preparation and follow-up, tracking action items and deliverables, and coordinating communication across project teams, as needed
• Provide scientific consultation to external investigators seeking to incorporate sensory health measures into their studies
• Contribute to both high-level program strategy as well as hands-on project coordination, adapting level of involvement as needed to support project priorities, team capacity, and successful execution
• Create and maintain project and operational documentation, including project plans, process workflows, and standard operating procedures, to support effective implementation and ongoing operations across teams

• At least 7 years of professional experience, including demonstrated experience coordinating or managing multi-site, public health, or population…