To be considered for the position, please send an email with the subject line. Research Assistant Job Application to Dr. Katrina Ellis (kahe@umich.edu) that includes the following materials: a) a brief (1 page or less) cover letter describing your interest in the position, relevant qualifications and experience, and what you hope to learn in this role and b) a resume or CV.  Application will be reviewed as they are received. Materials should be submitted no later than May 10, 2026. 

In order for the Career Portal system to accept a cover letter, please include this as a page of your resume document.

Dr. Katrina Ellis, Associate Professor in Social Work, is seeking research assistants for family-focused health projects during the Spring/Summer 2026 semester, with the possibility of continuing with the projects during the 2026-2027 academic year. The projects associated with this position focus on improving cancer and chronic disease outcomes for families through psychosocial and lifestyle interventions, with a primary focus on African American families. You may learn more about Dr. Ellis and her team on her research website: https://www.katrinaellisresearch.com/

We are seeking highly motivated, creative, and collaborative individuals to assist with these projects. Improving the health of families and advancing racial health equity through thoughtful, collaborative, strengths-based orientations, and evidence-based approaches are core components of this work.  
 

General responsibilities include:

• Conducting literature searches and reviews
• Call eligible participants to enroll into current research studies.
• Designing, implementing and evaluating health intervention programs and materials
• Collecting and analyzing data (e.g., surveys, interviews)
• Writing for academic and lay audiences, e.g., grant submissions/reports, manuscripts, newsletters, reports
• Opportunities to present research findings 

• Completing basic office and administration tasks, e.g., meeting scheduling, file tracking and organization, correspondence

   

Team members may also have an opportunity to facilitate/co-facilitate program sessions in a family-level health program and serve an intervention Health Coach (HC). Specific HC responsibilities include:

• Review surveys that illuminate participant's barriers and motivators for health behavior changes
• Use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to counsel participants by phone for 20 to 45 minutes regarding behavior change efforts
• Document concise call notes that are disseminated to other team members and/or providers
• Collaborate with a team of researchers and other HCs to reach study goals 
• Participate in regular staff meetings with other HCs
• Communicate clearly and tactfully with participants, providers, and members of the research team

• Fluency in English
• Must have a computer with reliable internet access
• Have flexible availability to work 15-20 hours during the days, evenings and weekends
   

• Experience counseling using motivational interviewing
• Experience working with an IRB, clinical trials, and research projects 
• Experience in cancer and/or chronic disease related research studies
• Data analysis experience
   

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

• It is expected that candidates will have varying levels of experience with the duties listed; as such, a commitment to learning and growing in research knowledge and skills is required.
• Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States, as we are currently unable to sponsor visas for this job opening.
• Hourly rate based on experience.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.