Research Associate
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
View more
- Administrative Jobs
- Academic Affairs, Research Staff & Technicians
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Carolina Population Center seeks a full-time Research Associate to contribute to a large team evaluating several obesity prevention policies and programs in several countries. These studies will examine the impact of policies including health warning labels, taxes, and marketing restrictions for sugar-sweetened beverages and junk foods. The research projects will include a combination of studies evaluating the effect of policies using large-scale population-level datasets on food purchases, prices, dietary intake, and health, as well as randomized controlled experimental studies testing the impact of policies on consumer behavior. The Research Associate will work closely with our interdisciplinary Global Food Research Program (http://globalfoodresearchprogram.web.unc.edu/). Our research team also includes masters and doctoral students in public health and mass communications, research assistants, programmers, a project manager and many colleagues at UNC and across the globe.
The Research Associate will support a mixture of research based in the U.S. and globally. This position directly provides research, analytical and technical writing support on research papers, manuscripts and deliverables led by Drs. Shu Wen Ng, Lindsey Smith Taillie, and to a much lesser extent Dr. Barry Popkin, in collaboration with researchers from other institutions.
The Research Associate’s work will focus on working on data analysis around empirical evaluations of major food and nutrition programs or policies, model simulations around future policies, and experimental studies focused on elucidating mechanisms around consumer behavior change. Panels of household food purchase data, retail food sales, nutritional data and dietary surveys will be used, so experience with large and complex datasets is highly preferred. This Research Associate will need to have expertise in longitudinal and other advanced statistical methods, ability to develop and adapt statistical models, conducting diagnostics and management and manipulation of these data. Prior experience in contributing to peer-reviewed publications is strongly preferred. We anticipate that the Research Associate will be able to independently conduct analyses with input from the research team. In addition, the role will involve working and coordinating closely with our team of MPH/MS registered dietitians and programmers to understand data organization and use.
The work will have the potential for translational and policy impact within the U.S. and globally. This work will lead to a series of published papers in top health, nutrition and policy journals, in addition to briefs and internal documentation on some key outcomes.
Educational RequirementsMaster’s degree in Economics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Policy, Psychology or another relevant field is required.
Qualifications and Experience-Strong quantitative skills, including data analysis including longitudinal modeling, randomized experiments, interrupted time-series analyses among other methods used for policy-oriented research, required.
-Research and writing skills (e.g., reviewing scientific literature, interpreting and communicating data) with background in economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, psychology, or related fields preferred.
-Computer proficiency, including extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office and Stata, required.
-Strong interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills including communicating effectively with technical and administrative staff, required.
-Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills, required. Ability to prioritize, handle multiple ongoing project activities, and work in a fast-paced environment, often with important policy-linked deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail, required.
-Ability to work independently while working in a team setting, required.
-Ability to function well in a culturally diverse work environment and to communicate and collect information from international staff, some of whom do not speak English as their first language, in a culturally competent manner, required.
-Experience in nutrition and obesity prevention research, preferred.
-Spanish proficiency, both written and oral, preferred.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
Special InstructionsRequired attachments: CV/Resume, a cover letter summarizing the applicant’s qualifications for this position, a thesis or writing sample, and a list of three references.
Quick Linkhttp://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/171410 Department Contact Information Department Contact Name and TitleConnie Padgett, Dept MgrDepartment Contact Telephone or Emailconnie_padgett@unc.eduOffice of Human Resources Contact InformationIf you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume
- Cover Letter
- List of References
- Writing/research Sample
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or mostly closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
- Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
- Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
- Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
- Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
- None of the above
- * Describe your experience managing complex multi-level research data.
(Open Ended Question)
- * Describe your knowledge and use of SAS and Stata for data management and analysis.
(Open Ended Question)
- * Describe your experience working in a research team.
(Open Ended Question)
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
Type of Institution: Public, four-year
Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
Faculty: 3,000
Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
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