Visiting Research Specialist

Visiting Research Specialist

Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health

Search closes by July 6, 2026, at 6 PM CDT

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities.

UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Visiting Research Specialist, as part of the Peer Harm Reduction Support Champion Intervention Study, will engage in research activities. This includes interviewing research participants and collecting interview data. The Peer Harm Reduction Support Champion Intervention Study is a CDC-funded research project that aims to train people who do not use drugs but know someone who does on how to help that person access available harm reduction tools and services (i.e., on how to become a peer harm reduction support champion), in order to increase access to these tools and services and to reduce the likelihood of overdose.

The budgeted salary range for the position is $60,000 to $62,000

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

• Conduct interviews with research participants (specifically, people who use drugs and their peer harm reduction champions)
• Collect, record, and analyze interview data
• Perform recruitment and screening of prospective research participants
• Perform participant enrollment activities (i.e., informed consent procedures)
• Conduct data quality/data entry checks
• Monitor participants for potential signs of distress
• Assist with scheduling of participant interviews
• Assist participants with referrals to available services in the community
• Train participants on recruitment of their peers to the study

• Bachelor's degree in social science or related field required. Master’s degree in social science preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years related research experience.
• Possesses and applies advanced knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices and methods.
• A minimum of 3 years’ professional experience working with people who use drugs/have substance use disorder.
• A minimum of 3 years’ professional experience recording data (e.g., research data or medical or case management data).
• Must be available to work one evening per week.

• A minimum of five years’ experience working with research participants (in the capacity of recruiting participants and/or interviewing participants).
• Experience living or working in the Austin or West Garfield Park neighborhoods.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.