Research Scientist

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and their families. As one of the nation’s leading child development research centers, we generate scientific evidence, inform policies, and support practices to promote positive developmental and educational outcomes for children of all backgrounds and abilities from infancy to adolescence.

FPG has a particular focus on the study of vulnerable populations and those who have special needs. In addition, FPG is committed to creating a place where everyone is welcome, supported, and has the resources they need to grow and thrive regardless of identity, origin, or difference in circumstances as well as engaging in work that addresses critical issues related to educational inequality and barriers to inclusion that impact children’s wellbeing.

Approximately 280 researchers, implementation and technical assistance specialists, staff, and students work on more than 75 projects related to developmental disabilities; physical, social, and emotional health; early care and education; early intervention and special education, prevention science, and more to address important issues facing all children and families. Our work spans across disciplines from education and psychology to social work and public health.

We collaborate with researchers across campus and throughout the nation. At FPG, transdisciplinary collaboration is a way to leverage collective expertise for comprehensive and relevant research and outreach, and is embodied in our motto: Advancing knowledge to transform children’s lives.

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.

The Research Scientist serves as a project leader on funded research project(s) at the Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Institute or other collaborative research at UNC-Chapel Hill. The position will contribute leadership within Dr. Murray’s Understanding and Promoting Self-regulation Interventions across Development (UPSIDE) Team. The UPSIDE team conducts interdisciplinary research that develops, implements, and evaluates self-regulation interventions that promote resilience for children and youth across the developmental spectrum from early childhood through young adulthood, with particular focus on youth who face chronic adversity. This includes a mindfulness-based intervention for middle and high school students called Be CALM which is currently being implemented and evaluated with federal funding in a randomized controlled trial within early college high schools across NC.

The Research Scientist conducts research on social-emotional interventions in educational contexts, provides leadership for research operations on the UPSIDE team, develops and maintains partnerships with education stakeholders to support implementation of research projects in schools, and contributes to proposal development and dissemination of results.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Demonstrated knowledge of applied research methods, including program evaluation within complex systems.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Preference for a Ph.D. in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health or related disciplines.
• Experience developing research partnerships with schools and other education stakeholders.
• Experience implementing and evaluating social-emotional interventions in schools.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including academic writing.