Research Assistant

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 40,865 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional training opportunities

Career growth and skill development

Job summary

A prestigious public university is seeking a full-time Research Assistant for a time-limited position within a public health research lab. The role supports studies on beverage consumption and public health policies. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree and excellent communication skills, with fluency in Spanish preferred. This in-person role requires data collection and participant interaction, based in Chapel Hill, NC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Must be comfortable working in teams and independently.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task.

Responsibilities

• Support an NIH-funded research study on SSB purchases.
• Recruit study participants for the trial.
• Lead data collection in a controlled environment.
• Screen and schedule study participants.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Excellent written communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service skills

Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Information

Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

Department	Carolina Population Center-631100
Career Area	Research Professionals
Is this an internal only recruitment?	No
Posting Open Date	08/07/2025
Application Deadline	08/13/2025
Position Type	Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Position Title	Soc/Clin Research Assistant - Contributing
Salary Grade Equivalent	NC07 / GN06
Working Title	Research Assistant
Position Number	20072172
Vacancy ID	P020461
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited	Full-Time Time-Limited
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment	18 months
Hours per week	40
Work Schedule
Work Location	CHAPEL HILL, NC
Position Location	North Carolina, US
Hiring Range	$40,865 - $48,000
Pay Band Information

Position Summary Information

Since 1966, researchers at the Carolina Population Center have pioneered data collection and research techniques that move population science forward by emphasizing life course approaches, longitudinal surveys, the integration of biological measurement into social surveys, and attention to context and environment. We are also at the forefront of creating interdisciplinary training programs that integrate approaches from the social and biological sciences, building research capacity and training the next generation of scholars. Our faculty fellows address pressing research questions about population dynamics, fertility, health, mortality, migration, and the environment. Faculty come from multiple disciplines, benefitting from the cross-pollination of ideas. Our dedicated research and programming staff support fellows at every stage of project development, from conception through data collection or acquisition, analysis and dissemination, and project administration. https://www.cpc.unc.edu/about/

UNC seeks one time-limited full-time Research Assistant to join Dr. Marissa Hall's Policy Insights Lab (https://www.policyinsightslab.com/). The lab conducts research to inform food, tobacco, and alcohol policies designed to improve public health.

The Research Assistant position is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in conducting research and working with an interdisciplinary research team that values high-quality research that has public health impact and a supportive and collaborative working environment. This is an 18-month, time-limited position, but has the potential to extend to three years depending on fit and project needs. This is an in-person position that requires working in Chapel Hill and Raleigh areas. The position may require some evening and weekend hours. The position will also require reliable transportation.

The Research Assistant will support an NIH-funded research study testing the effects of pictorial health warnings on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) purchases in a randomized clinical trial. This policy-relevant study will evaluate whether these warning labels can effectively influence SSB drinking behaviors and reduce its consumption in a real-world setting. Participants will attend 4 weekly in-person visits and will take surveys where they will report their SSB drinking. The Research Assistant will lead data collection for the multi-city trial using the UNC Mini Mart. The Mini Mart is a physical convenience store laboratory that provides a controlled environment in which researchers can study and experimentally evaluate the impact of point-of-sale policies and interventions on consumer behavior. The store can hold over 300 unique products, allowing study participants to buy and take products home for personal consumption. A key function of this role is recruiting study participants for the trial. This role also includes screening and scheduling study participants, consenting eligible participants, implementing the study protocol (including online surveys and in-person data collection), disbursing study incentives to participants, assisting with data entry, and other administrative tasks.

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

The candidate must possess the following skills:
- Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Must be comfortable working in teams and independently.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
- Excellent customer service skills and be comfortable interacting with study participants.
- Proficient using computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Fluent in Spanish (spoken and written).

- Previous experience working with Hispanic or Latino populations is preferred.
- Experience or interest in public health research is also preferred.

Not Applicable.

Be a Tar Heel!	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.
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Quick Link	https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/305020

Contact Information

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Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

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.

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