Research Associate

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Created in 1987, the University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center ( UNC IPRC) is one of the nation's leading university-based injury and violence prevention research centers. IPRC's mission is to build the field of injury and violence prevention through interdisciplinary scholarly research, and by training the next generation of injury prevention researchers and practitioners. UNC IPRC is one of the nine active centers in the Centers for Disease Control's ( CDC) Injury Control Research Center ( ICRC) program, and one of the only two research centers to be continuously-funded as a CDC ICRC since the inception of the ICRC program.

UNC IPRC is internationally known for the high quality of its interdisciplinary research and for developing innovative research methodologies. The Center conducts a wide range of research studies, with the ultimate goal of advancing the practice-relevant knowledge base for injury/violence prevention. UNC IPRC's staff and core faculty serve as a trusted source of expert knowledge on injury/violence prevention science. The Center supports several student-led research consortiums on campus, and hosts an Injury and Violence Prevention Fellowship program.

Additionally, to ensure that science on injury/violence prevention is rapidly translated into measurable and effective injury prevention actions, UNC IPRC also conducts an extensive set of community-based training and outreach activities. Many of our community-based activities are planned and implemented in collaboration with partners such as the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch ( IVPB) of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Through its partnerships with IVPB and others, UNC IPRC plays a long-term leadership role in catalyzing evidence-based injury prevention activities through training and outreach to professional, governmental, and public groups.

North Carolina is expected to receive more than $1.5 billion from a series of national opioid settlements through at least 2038. The Community Opioid Resources Engine for North Carolina ( CORE-NC) is a collaborative partnership between the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center ( IPRC), the NC Department of Justice (NC DOJ), the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), and the NC Association of County Commissioners ( NCACC). This collaborative partnership, or consortium, was established to ensure transparency of and accountability for the use of opioid settlement funds by local governments in North Carolina. The collaborative group will work with over 100 local governments across the state as they determine how to best utilize opioid settlement funds on evidence-informed opioid abatement strategies and report on financial and impact data related to their efforts.

The position will serve as a Research Associate for CORE-NC operations, which resides in the UNC IPRC unit of the CORE-NC consortium. This position will work closely with the CORE-NC operations Principal Investigator (PI) and Project Director (PD), along with the partnering organizations of the CORE-NC consortium to ensure accountability and transparency of the spending of opioid settlement dollars across North Carolina. This position will assist the Project Director in overseeing the collection, processing, and visualization of research data related to reporting requirements for local governments through the NC Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA). This position will require a keen attention to detail and a deep understanding of the MOA document.

This position will work closely with consortium partners to ensure continuous compliance by the participating local governments, and assisting local governments when further action is needed to remain in compliance with the NC MOA. This will include participating and reporting out in weekly team meetings and attending technical assistance calls with consortium partners and local governments.

This position will work closely with the CORE-NC Operations Data Team to assist with updating website data on a quarterly basis, developing or expanding data displays, and completing user testing for continued improvement of the CORE-NC website and its resources.

This position will work closely with the PD and PI to identify sustainable operations funding and identify potential research funding. This position will also work closely with the PI, PD, and Co-Investigators in developing grant applications, conference presentations, and manuscript drafts.

This position is expected to work independently, to be forward planning in project tasks, and to be flexible and responsive to multiple completing deadlines, partners, and funders.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Demonstrated organization and communication skills. Knowledge of the science of developing and delivering public health-oriented programs in the field of injury prevention.

Prior experience with research studies in injury and violence is preferred. Knowledge of networks and organizations relevant to opioids, injury prevention, and public health is strongly preferred.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.