Research Area Specialist Associate

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 skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Health Management and Policy Department at the University of Michigan School of Public Health is seeking an independent and motivated Research Area Specialist Associate to join the research team of Assistant Professor Elisa M Maffioli. This position will support a portfolio of global health randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in particular:

• Testing a Biometric Identification System to Improve Malaria Vaccine Completion (in collaboration with Jessica Cohen, Harvard University, Chris Guure, University of Ghana, and implementing partner Simprints)
• Optimizing the Benefits of Inline Chlorination in Nigeria and India (in collaboration with Amy Pickering at the University of California, Berkeley, and implementing partners Self Help Africa in Nigeria and JPAL/IFMR in India)

The selected candidate will split their time approximately 50% across each project.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing complex research projects, including coordinating multi-country studies and conducting quantitative data analysis. The Research Associate will play a key role in project implementation, data management, statistical analysis, and dissemination of findings. A successful candidate will be an engaged team member, a strong communicator, and able to work effectively across interdisciplinary and international teams. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact global health research spanning Ghana, Nigeria, and India, with a focus on RCT implementation, econometric analysis, and policy-relevant evidence generation.

This position is particularly well-suited for candidates considering doctoral training in the future.

Project Management and Coordination (30%)

• Assist the Principal Investigators (PIs) with administering and implementing research activities across two international projects
• Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, and communication across partner organizations
• Assist with grant reporting and project documentation
• Coordinate meetings with collaborators

Field Implementation & Team Support (25%)

• Support hiring, onboarding, and training of research staff
• This position requires international travel to project sites in either Ghana, Nigeria, or India (3 trips, up to 1 month each trip)

Research Design & Analysis (25%)

• Contribute to study design and implementation
• Clean, manage, and analyze datasets
• Develop data visualizations and reports
• Conduct literature reviews

Data Quality, Compliance & Dissemination (20%)

• Monitor data quality during fieldwork, including reviewing incoming survey data for errors, tracking and flagging anomalies to the PIs and field teams
• Support IRB approvals and compliance requirements
• Assist in preparing manuscripts and presentations
• Support dissemination to academic and policy audiences

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Public Health, or a closely related field and 1-3 years of relevant experience
• Experience with research coordination or data analysis
• Training & experience in econometrics and causal inference methods, particularly in the context of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
• Proficiency in R, Python, Stata, or similar tools
• Proficiency in ODK, REDCap, Survey
  
  CTO, KOBO, or similar tools
• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Master's degree in Economics, Public Health, or a closely related field, strongly preferred
• Experience in global health or international research & working with multi-institutional teams
• Experience with field data collection in international development settings
• Experience with publications & familiarity with IRB and human subjects research

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.…