UTS - Temporary Research Specialist at UNC Chapel Hill

The Research Specialist will work under the direction of the President and CEO (Principal Investigator) of the department, and the Associate Director (AD), . The Research Specialist will administer special projects and assist with task forces including, but not limited to, project planning, coordination, organization, and database development and management. The Research Specialist will manage communication with project participants and develop publications, reports and related products. The research specialist will be the liaison with all project participants including email correspondence around meeting logistics, developing and providing background materials, and surveying participants to get feedback on their experiences.

The Research Specialist will work with multiple complex projects simultaneously.

For task force projects, the Research Specialist will work with task force members to develop consensus on specific recommendations and will assist in writing task force reports. The Research Specialist will conduct literature reviews specific to the task force to identify trends and issues related to the task force topic(s). Additionally, the Research Specialist will review the recommendations of previous task forces and provide written updates that reflect the status of each recommendation and its implementation.

The position requires substantial capacity to independently manage and coordinate research activities in addition to excellent writing skills. The Research Specialist will work with several groups of people, including providers, government agencies, professional associations, and other stakeholders and policy makers, and needs to have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. The person holding this position must have the knowledge and experience to be capable of working independently in a self-directed manner.

This position needs to work the upcoming annual meeting on 11/13/25 from approximately 7 am - 5 pm and a reception the evening before on 11/12/25 from 5 - 8 pm)

Parking: available at the office for $5/day; for any offsite events, reimbursement will be provided in addition to travel costs (if location is more than 20 miles roundtrip and farther from office location)

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Knowledge - Professional/Scientific Achieves a high level of professional/scientific skill or knowledge in specific area(s) and keeps up with current developments and trends in area(s) of expertise. Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods and processes (technical and/or theoretical) used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry including study design, methods of data collection and analysis, and interpreting and reporting results; ability to operate instruments and equipment; knowledge of related information technology. Demonstrate full knowledge of North Carolina health policy, including understanding of the divisions within the Department of Health and Human Services. Understands project management.

Research Design: Ability to identify and develop literature searches; ability to plan methods and techniques to meet research objectives; researches literature to be knowledgeable about public health topics relevant to current projects. Demonstrates full ability to plan and coordinate activities to meet project objectives and deadlines; assesses the needs of projects and recommends changes in process, work flow, and project design in consultation with other team members.

Data Analysis: Ability to prepare reports and/or presentations; ability to monitor and collect research data to assess accuracy, validity, and integrity.

Communication Ability to clearly and concisely convey information verbally and in written form; ability to effectively present ideas to individuals or groups to ensure that they understand the information and message. Ability to present research results and summaries; ability to adhere to reporting requirements of research project(s); ability to contribute to the writing of publications and reports.

Function: Project Management (30%): Project coordination. The research specialist will work with multiple staff to coordinate and manage special projects as well as task force work. The research specialist will plan and coordinate activities for two special projects and our annual meetings.

In this role, the research specialist will plan and design project meetings to meet project objectives and deadlines. For these meetings, the research specialist will work with staff at partnering agencies to develop meeting agenda and topics, handle all logistics, gather information at meetings, and document the results of the meeting. The research specialist will assess the needs of projects and recommend changes in process, work flow, and design in consultation with other team members. The research specialist will be responsible for meeting logistics, including agenda and speaker coordination, technology, and travel arrangements. The research specialist will manage the information and data that is collected and reviewed. At each meeting, the research specialist will record and synthesize information, and report back on the work of various projects. The research specialist will keep track of project work flow, train new staff on project work flow; review and maintain correct standard operations, procedures and protocols. The research specialist will work with task force members to develop consensus on specific recommendations. The research specialist will prepare presentations, reports and publications on the projects as necessary. The research specialist will also assist with tasks associated with the formation of new projects including researching potential members, issuing and tracking invitations, and developing participant lists.

The research specialist will represent the department at various stakeholder meetings, providing information on our projects and collecting information about other public health efforts that relate to projects. The research specialist will be able to take information that is relevant and important to projects and communicate that to partners and participants as needed.

Function: Research- Presentations & Publications (30%): Writing and Editing. The research specialist will conduct and analyze literature searches on specific healthcare topics, prepare written materials that will be provided to task force members, create meeting agendas, write minutes of task force meetings, and assist in writing formal task force reports and recommendations. The research specialist will respond to task force inquiries. The research specialist may be tasked to contribute an article for the North Carolina Medical Journal. On an annual basis the research specialist will also take a lead role in at least one update of a previous Task Force report and assist in at least one other update.

Function: Research- Presentations & Publications (20%): Quantitative, qualitative, legal, or policy analysis. The research specialist will search various media to conduct and analyze literature research, public health and policy analysis related to specific health and healthcare topics. The research specialist will survey task force members and other project participants to get feedback on topics under discussion and recommendations. The research specialist will synthesize research for a lay or practice community.

Function: Project Management (20%): Meeting Coordination. The research specialist will assist with coordinating the NCIOM Annual Meeting, including helping develop the agenda, contacting speakers, and coordinating event logistics. This invo

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