Research Assistant

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The goal of the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) is to prevent chronic disease and reduce health disparities. Investigators and staff at HPDP work with communities to conduct research, provide training and translate research findings into policy and practice. Research areas include nutrition and physical activity, cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity, healthy food access, cancer prevention and control, children’s health, rural health, and health equity. HPDP is part of a network of 20 CDC Prevention Research Centers across the United States.

Position Summary:

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

This position will serve as a Research Assistant for two studies: a three-phase Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) implementation study and FAMily-centered WEight Loss for Black Adults (FAM WEL B-ing), both under Principal Investigator Carmen Samuel-Hodge. The Research Assistant will help with recruitment, enrollment, and follow-up of study participants and will collect qualitative and quantitative data. Additional duties include drafting study protocols, organization of study materials, updates to intervention materials and data collection instruments, attend team meetings, reconcile of participant incentives, and other on-campus and off campus site study-related tasks. Currently, the position will only be for the DSMES project but will in time, cover both projects.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

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

Management Preferences:

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Basic knowledge of data collection procedures or previous research experience; familiarity with REDCap as a data management platform.
• Excellent communication and people skills with demonstrated ability to develop rapport.
• Experience with community-based public health research projects.
• Experience working with underserved, rural populations.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.