Soc/Clin Research Assistant

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.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing 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. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.

OUR MISSION

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 will 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 will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.

Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources.

We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

Position Summary

THIS IS A TIME-LIMITED POSITION WITH AN ESTIMATED DURATION OF 1 YEAR.

UNC seeks up to two full-time Research Assistants to join Dr. Marissa Hall's Policy Insights Lab (https://www.policyinsightslab.com/). The lab conducts research to inform food, tobacco, and alcohol policies designed to improve public health.

1.Research Assistant in tobacco policy: This Research Assistant will support an NIH-funded project conducting research to develop a campaign to encourage priority menthol populations (i.e., people who smoke menthol who are Black or lesbian, gay, or bisexual) to quit smoking and evaluate whether a quit smoking campaign could amplify the benefits of a menthol ban in a randomized clinical trial.

The Research Assistant will lead data collection for the project's multi-city trial using the UNC Mini Mart. The Mini Mart is a physical convenience store laboratory that provides a controlled environment in which researchers can study and experimentally evaluate the impact of point-of-sale policies and interventions on consumer behavior. The store can hold over 300 unique products, allowing study participants to buy and take products home for personal consumption.

A key function of this role is recruiting study participants for the trial.

This role also includes screening and scheduling study participants, consenting eligible participants, implementing the study protocol (including virtual sessions, online surveys, and in-person data collection), disbursing study incentives to participants, assisting with data entry, and other administrative tasks. 2.Research Assistant in alcohol policy: This Research Assistant will support an NIH-funded research study testing the effects of alcohol warning labels placed on participants' alcohol containers in a randomized clinal trial.

This policy-relevant study will evaluate whether these warning labels can effectively influence drinking behaviors and reduce alcohol consumption in a real-world setting. Participants will attend 4 weekly in-person visits and will take surveys and report their drinking behavior via text message. The Research Assistant will lead data collection for the project's multi-city trial, implementing an innovative research protocol that involves labeling people's own alcohol containers.

Responsibilities include screening participants for eligibility, scheduling and consenting eligible participants, and implementing the study protocol. Protocol will include training participants on how to fill out their daily diaries, labeling containers, administering online surveys, in-person data collection, and disbursing study incentives. Additionally, the Research Assistant will be expected to keep thorough records of participant visits, assist with data entry, and perform other administrative tasks. These Research Assistant positions are an excellent opportunity to gain experience in conducting research and working with an interdisciplinary research team that values high-quality research that has public health impact, a fun and collaborative working environment, and efforts to improve health equity.

This is a one year, time-limited position, but has the potential to extend to two years depending on fit and project needs. This is an in-person position that requires working in Chapel Hill and Raleigh areas.

The position will require some evening and weekend hours. The position will also require reliable transportation.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• The candidate must possess excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills, and must be comfortable working in teams and independently.

• The candidate must have exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task.

• The candidate must have excellent customer service skills and be comfortable interacting with study participants.

• Proficiency using computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Experience or interest in public health research is also preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications Special Physical/Mental Requirements Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements Overtime occasionally Special Instructions Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/287448