Under general direction of faculty and senior research personnel and as part of a large program team, this individual will be responsible for providing research and project support for several large multi-component health equity programs focused on efforts to assess and improve the quality of health care for all children. Programs include the Michigan Child Health Equity Collaborative (Mi-CHEC), Michigan Community Hospitals Improving Equity for Children (Mi-CHIME), Pediatric Sickle Cell Improvement Project (P-SCIP), and Program for Equity in Adolescent and Child Health (PEACH).

A key responsibility in this role will be to offer research expertise that enhances the rigor and impact of research and quality improvement projects both internally and across our quality collaboratives. This individual will participate in the development, design, and implementation of research and improvement projects. Regular duties include liaising with partner sites in our quality collaboratives, formulating research methods, suggesting options for improving program operations, overseeing data collection efforts both internally and at external sites, reviewing project progress and timelines, valuating results, and report preparation, visual presentation of data and functionally supervising up to three research students. The ability to work independently, problem solve and anticipate potential roadblocks to project completion are essential components of the position.

The position will also involve preparation for, and participation in, regular in-person and virtual meetings of the representatives of the partners in the quality collaboratives. 

• Participate in the development, design, and implementation of research and quality improvement projects, review progress toward deliverables, and evaluate results. 
• Participate in the formulation of research methods and quality improvement protocols for health system environments.
• Monitor and participate in data collection and verification involving electronic medical record, and survey data for internal and for external project partners. Oversee research student activities in these areas.
• Liaise with partner sites in the quality collaborative to coordinate meetings of the collaborative, follow their progress toward collaborative research goals, problem solve and anticipate needs and challenges of the partner sites. 
• Prepare materials for presentation/present at meetings and conferences; draft research summaries, reports, slides, manuscripts and other research related materials such as grant proposals.
• Oversee research student activities in these areas.

• Master's degree in a healthcare-related field
• Willingness to work onsite at least 3.5 days per week 
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, reliable and self-directed. Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal/written communication skills 
• Ability to work both independently and within a team on multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Proficiency in the use of EndNote, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Adobe Acrobat 
• Experience with data analysis/interpretation and a variety of techniques for the graphic/visual display of data
• Must be proficient in analyzing administrative claims data
• Must have experience designing and implementing Quality Improvement programs and initiatives

Research Area Specialist Senior

• 5 to 6 years of research and quality improvement project experience in an academic or healthcare setting

Research Area Specialist Intermediate

• 4 to 5 years of related experience

• Experience working with electronic medical record data 
• Professional/Doctorate degree
• 10 years of related experience in healthcare research

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.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as page one 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. This position is currently funded for one year with additional years of funding anticipated.

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.

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 employment opportunity employer.