Research Associate

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.

Patient Care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We prepare tomorrow's healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Flexible work arrangements, including virtual/hybrid work locations, are an integral part of the School of Medicine's Working Forward initiative. As such, this position's work location is designated as hybrid. Please note that the designated work location is subject to change based on the unit's business needs.

The Research Associate position will be responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring a variety of research projects, including major externally-funded programs. The Directors of the Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Technical Assistance Center and the Rural Residency Planning and Development Technical Assistance Center will rely heavily on this position for successful completion of all aspects of research administration and project management.

The Research Associate will have project management responsibilities, including working independently to manage multiple projects and communicating directly with investigators, sponsors, regulatory bodies, participants, and the study team. This position will be expected to take the lead on internal and external projects as they arise, contract management, budget management, and other research related activities.

This position will also assist in directing and administering the programs for major externally-funded research projects, including the Health Resources and Services Administration ( HRSA) Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Technical Assistance Center and the Rural Residency Planning and Development Technical Assistance Center. Using extensive research administration experience, this position will provide a high level of professional support in all areas of proposal development and post award management. This position will support proposal development, and post-award management, including creating contracts as well as coordinating workshops, events, and seminars, as needed. This position will respond to external requests for data or information about Technical Assistance Center work, monitor news, reports, and literature for material relevant to our work, understand University processes and carry out those procedures after approval, schedule and coordinate meetings, prepare agendas and follow up on action items. This position will conduct literature reviews, organize data, as well as proofread, edit, and finalize dissemination documents (e.g., manuscripts, reports, newsletters, publication announcements, presentation slides, social media, website content, etc.). This will require the Research Associate to coordinate and collaborate with a variety of complex, multi-institutional consortiums, multi-disciplinary and cross-campus research units, and national institutions. This position must ensure adherence to federal, state, and university regulations.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Qualified candidates must be proficient in and demonstrate significant experience in research administration. Additionally, candidates must have excellent organization and time management; the ability to handle changes in work volume and intensity; strong interpersonal skills; the ability to present information in a clear and effective manner; and strong problem-solving capabilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), reference/publication management software, and research databases is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.

Ideal candidate will have knowledge of research principles, study design, methods of data/information, budget and contract management, data organization, as well as knowledge of statistics and related information technology to analyze and report data/information. Grant administration and proposal development experience and background in rural and underserved healthcare, medical education, or academic medicine is desired.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.