How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page 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.

Job Summary

The Department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health is seeking a Research Area Specialist to join a dynamic and interdisciplinary multi-site research team led by Dr. Lindsay Kobayashi. Working with data from Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols in the US Health and Retirement Study and its International Partner Studies around the world, our team aims to improve the quality of harmonized data for cross-national dementia research and better characterize cross-national variation in the associations of key dementia risk factors with later-life cognitive outcomes.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the curation, management, and analysis of complex cognitive function and ancillary data from internationally harmonized longitudinal studies of aging: the US Health and Retirement Study and its International Partner Studies around the world. They will develop, design, and execute approaches to data curation, management, and analysis within the existing project framework. They will prepare datasets for analysis, conduct data analysis, interpret the results, and prepare reports including data tables and visualizations. They will supervise the workflows of more junior research staff conducting data curation, management, and analysis. They will prepare manuscripts as lead author and co-author, present and co-present findings at scientific meetings, and will contribute to the preparation of grant applications and progress reports.

Responsibilities*

• Development and review of research methodology: Works with project PIs to develop, design, review, and improve the quality and rigor of research methodology.
• Data management: Develops, designs, and manages the organization, documentation, merging, cleaning, and storage of complex harmonized population datasets. Creates final analytic datasets.
• Data analysis: Develops, designs, and conducts complex data analyses. Interprets results, including creation of data tables, visualizations, and reports for presentation to the study team leadership.
• Manuscript and grant preparations: Prepares scientific manuscripts as lead author and co-author. Prepares and presents or co-presents findings at scientific meetings. Assists in acquiring research funding, including with writing the technical portions of grant proposals, and in the reporting of regular progress to funders.
• Research staff supervision: Supervises workflows and reviews analytical plans and outputs of research staff, onboards new research staff.
• Other research duties as assigned.
  

Required Qualifications*

• Senior: Master's in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Statistics or a related Public Health discipline with five years of experience in epidemiological research using population-based cohort studies and in data curation and analysis.
• Intermediate: Master's in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Statistics or a related Public Health discipline with at least four years of experience in epidemiologic research using population based cohort studies and in data curation and analysis.
• Both levels: Excellent skills in data management and analysis, data visualization, written scientific communication, time management and planning, and interpersonal communication; strong skills and experience in Stata; experience using Microsoft Office Suite.
  

Modes of Work

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.

Work Locations

This position allows for a hybrid work schedule. The selected candidate will be expected to work on-site 3 days per week.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at the Associate level depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary for the Intermediate level is $56,652 - 69,982, and the salary for the Senior level is $71,477 - 88,296.

Additional Information

This is a term-limited appointment that will end one year from the appointment start date, with the potential for an extension depending upon available funding and performance.

Michigan Public Health is seeking a dynamic staff member with a commitment to contributing to a welcoming environment for all members of our community.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

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.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

280220

Research Area Specialist

Research Area Specialist Sr

Ann Arbor Campus

Hybrid

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

School Pub Health

Epidemiology Department

7/17/2026 - 7/31/2026

$71,477.00 - $88,296.00

Research