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.

An exceptional opportunity is available for a highly motivated and experienced Lead Research Area Specialist with the onWHARD (Women?s Health And Reproductive Disparities Collaborative) team within Obstetrics and Gynecology Department for multiple ongoing and past projects.

As the Research Area Specialist Lead, you will play a pivotal role in managing large and complex research projects, with a primary focus on qualitative research, design and methodology, and writing. This position involves comprehensive project management, team leadership, and collaborative efforts with other researchers, while also involving writing responsibilities.

Possessing strong research, writing, and editing skills, the Research Area Specialist Lead must demonstrate curiosity, flexibility, and the ability to deeply engage with new projects and content frequently. They will be an expert in the area and oversee financial planning and strategy for work independently to produce well-organized presentations and/or lead development of survey instruments, ensuring adherence to ethical research principles and journal guidelines. Additionally, the Research Area Specialist will be adept at collaborating with diverse groups across multiple research and programmatic domains. They will develop an understanding of research area priorities, support conduct of research, writing, and analyze and interpret data in both qualitative and quantitative areas. Demonstrated experience and/or interest in women's health research, heavy menstrual bleeding and fibroid research, health equity research, & research on minority and underrepresented populations is highly desired.

The lead position is primarily focused on qualitative research expertise, writing, team and project leadership, data analysis, and data dissemination. This role also includes the potential to lead specific projects within their area of expertise and involves some functional oversight of other qualitative researchers and staff involved in day-to-day operations.

Project Management:

• Manage large and complex research dissemination projects, ensuring timely and successful completion. Manage timelines and deliverables for qualitative research.
• Identifying potential challenges and mitigating risks associated with qualitative research. 
• Assign tasks to team members and supervise their progress.
• Independently formulate research methods, suggest options for improving quality, and recommend and implement solutions.
• Independently handle writing sections of grant, review funding, support preparation, etc.
• Guide and support research coordinator to ensure compliance with IRB-required activities, including human subject applications, amendments, and annual reviews/progress reports.

Qualitative Research Design and Methodology:

• Independently develop and document comprehensive qualitative research plans, including participant recruitment strategies, interview guides, and data collection protocols.
• Review and select appropriate qualitative research methods based on research objectives.  Must have extensive experience in qualitative research.
• Ensure ethical considerations are integrated throughout the research process.

Data Collection, Coding, and Analysis:

• Organize, schedule, and conduct field research, including interviews and facilitate focus group discussions.  Independently manage data collection and transcription processes.
• Utilize qualitative data analysis software to code, categorize, and interpret data, identifying key themes and patterns.  Perform data analysis and quality control, and dissemination planning.
• Develop an understanding of research area priorities, interpret data; Integrate qualitative insights into broader research projects, including quantitative data collection and analysis, and draft publications.
• Utilize mixed methods approaches for social and behavioral research studies and develop manuscripts on ongoing and completed projects for logical and accurate content.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Perform primary activities and decision-making independently on significant matters within the scope of responsibilities, affecting business operations to a substantial degree. 
• Supervise and mentor junior qualitative researchers. Cultivate relationships with faculty and collaborators.
• Collaborate with other research team members, including quantitative researchers, to integrate qualitative insights into broader research projects from diverse co-authors.
• Communicate research findings to stakeholders through clear and concise reports and presentations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:

• Develop well-organized presentations and communications that distill complex scientific themes into compelling and appropriate language for various audiences.
• Assist in preparing policy briefs and summary statements of key research for lay audiences and the press.

Grant Writing, Data Dissemination, and Manuscript Development:

• Perform extensive literature searches to evaluate the current state of knowledge and identify research gaps.
• Collaborate closely with faculty and staff, including working on Dr. Marsh?s grants and projects, and will be responsible for leading high impact research and developing high-quality manuscripts, reports, brochures, and support with grant submissions. 
• Draft research protocols, consent forms, proposals, annual reports, brochures, and manuals.
• Assist with poster and slide preparation for talks and co-present with the Principal Investigator at meetings and conferences for data dissemination of community engaged projects.
• Collaborate with faculty, learners, community members, and staff to develop manuscripts on ongoing projects for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
• Lead, Author/co-author publications; draft sections of a manuscript, including the abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references, and ensure they cohesively tell a supported story. Follow and complete online submission protocols/requirements.
• Support project related expenses and independently oversee manuscript related budget/costs, track submission deadlines and proactively support drafting abstracts.

Innovation and Strategy:

• Investigate, modify, and apply new procedures, techniques, or applications of technology to integrate new findings in the field of study.
• Design instrumentation, theoretical models, equipment, or other resources needed for data gathering and analysis.

• PhD degree in a related scientific/research field (public health, psychology, social work, epidemiology, etc.) or equivalent combination of education(Master's degree) and experience
• Demonstrated graduate level work experience of minimum of 8 years in qualitative and/or quantitative research, including developing interview guides and surveys, supporting/submitting IRB applications, conducting interviews, and thematic coding.
• Familiarity with the various theoretical frameworks within qualitative research required.
• Mixed methods and survey research experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of writing principles, excellent analytical and research skills, strong interpersonal and communication skills, proficiency in qualitative research methods, and familiarity with commercial software for coding and with reference management systems.
• Writing experience in the areas of clinical and translational research and/or science required.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating relationships with research faculty and/or key stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and adapt to the needs of the program
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams of people in a diplomatic, inclusive, collaborative and effective manner; Ability to effectively lead diverse work groups
• Experience in quantitative research and creating publication quality figures and tables.
• Ability to manage multiple writing projects simultaneously. Willingness to travel, attend conferences.
• Willingness to occasionally work unconventional hours to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, including a willingness to undertake both mundane and high-profile tasks.
• Fluent in research and project management-related software including Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), research management including reference management and file sharing software (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, Trello, Zotero), qualitative research and graphing software (e.g. NVivo, GraphPad, etc.) communication and meeting management (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Slack); and presentation software (e.g., Canva, etc.)

• Experience with Univ. of Michigan's IRB processes.
• Knowledge of research methodology, survey research experience, and mixed-methods skills.
• Demonstrate excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills 
• Ability to set priorities, handle multiple assignments and deadlines and display excellent judgment while operating in a flexible and professional manner.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with data visualization and synthesis; demonstrated high degree of initiative and resourcefulness
• Working knowledge of applicable University policies and procedures preferred

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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