We are seeking a dynamic and independent individual to act as a Research Area Specialist within the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative team and contribute to research studies with meaningful impacts on mental health in educational settings across the state of Michigan and beyond. This team is led by Dr. Shawna N. Smith, Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy, and Dr. Sara Abelson, Assistant Professor, Hope Center for Student Basic Needs and Lewis Katz Medical School at Temple University. This full-time position requires an experienced, highly organized, and motivated individual who has both clinical mental health experience and experience with translational research, including community-partnered work.

The Mental Health Improvement through Community Colleges (MHICC) initiative is  looking for a Research Area Specialist to manage a variety of community-partnered qualitative, quantitative, and general research activities for several projects focused on supporting delivery of evidence-based mental health services at community colleges across Michigan. This individual will also be responsible for leading development of several new MHICC initiatives, including a statewide learning collaborative for mental health providers, a student advisory board, and developing materials for policymakers. A successful candidate for this position will have a strong background managing multiple aspects of a complex research project, including development of training and dissemination materials, and collaborating with interdisciplinary community partners. 

Primary job responsibilities will include: 

• Overseeing the development of training and technical assistance content on student mental health and mental health in higher education in collaboration with statewide partners and relevant topic experts for MHICC's MiTRENDS Mental Health Hub.
• Partnering with community college mental health providers and decision makers to design an interactive curriculum and facilitate a statewide learning collaborative providing support, clinical expertise, and mental health best practices to community college mental health providers, administrators, and staff members. 
• Serving as the initiative's internal clinical expert, providing clinical mental/behavioral health insight to inform various project aspects and leading clinical-focused communications with partnering mental health counselors and social workers. 
• Co-leading the annual design and delivery of MHICC's annual Mental Health Landscape Survey fielded to partnering higher education stakeholders and decision makers. 
• Leading regular policy scans related to mental health in higher education. 
• Generating and contributing to various professional reports, technical assistance materials, and academic manuscripts. 
• Meeting regularly with community partners (including our advisory boards) to facilitate input on MHICC programming and priorities. 

Additional duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the creation of professional research presentations. 
• Attending meetings with investigators and project staff. 
• Supervising interns and part-time student research assistants (undergraduate and master's level).
• Generating policy briefs and/or communicating with policy makers about issues relevant to MHICC's work. 
• Organizing and maintaining study documents and databases. 
• Cleaning, interpreting, and maintaining quantitative and qualitative survey data. 
• Coding and analyzing qualitative data using relevant software (e.g., NVivo). 
• Performing basic quantitative analyses (e.g., descriptive analyses, data visualizations). 
• Performing additional research duties as assigned. 

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in public health, psychology, political science, social work, sociology, or related field. 
• 4+ years of experience developing and conducting mental health or related research. 
• Demonstrated clinical mental health experience (counseling, assessment, programmatic implementation). Current clinical licensure (e.g., licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical psychologist) in the state of Michigan preferred
• Experience working with community college or other higher educational settings in Michigan; experience and knowledge of Michigan's public behavioral health systems; experience with community-partnered research; and familiarity with higher education policy, particularly around student mental health.  
• Outstanding organizational skills associated with the ability to manage time and complete multiple competing tasks while meeting deadlines; demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Computer proficiency (i.e., Microsoft Apps; Google Suite); proficiency with visual design and associated software (e.g., Canva) and data visualization; well-developed writing, editing and formatting skills associated with academic publishing and writing for adult learners. 

This position allows for a hybrid work schedule. The selected candidate will be expected to work on-site 2-3 days per week at the School of Public Health, based on initiative needs. After the initial training period and assessment, this may be reduced.

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 is a one-year, term-limited appointment, with the possibility of extension.

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.