Research Assistant (Temporary)

Chico State Enterprises; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued Sick Leave

Job summary

Chico State Enterprises is seeking a part-time Research Assistant (Temporary) to support a Food as Medicine feasibility study at California State University, Chico. This hourly, non-exempt role will contribute to policy analysis, community health assessments, and stakeholder coordination through May 2027.

The position involves literature reviews, data synthesis, and the development of a practical pilot program plan leveraging NVFH infrastructure in Butte County.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a Master of Public Health (MPH) program.
• Experience or training in conducting academic literature reviews, policy analysis, and qualitative and/or quantitative data synthesis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct population needs and nutrition security assessments across Butte County.
• Synthesize evidence-based Food as Medicine implementation models.
• Catalog local food, healthcare, and social service infrastructure and map resource networks.
• Collaborate with NVFH leadership and regional partners to design a scalable FAM pilot program.

Skills

Literature reviews

Policy analysis

Data synthesis

Education

MPH enrollment

Job description

POSITION: Research Assistant (Temporary)

STATUS: Part-Time / Non-Benefitted / Hourly / Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture

LOCATION: Chico State Campus. This is a hybrid work environment that is eligible for partial telecommuting.

RECRUITMENT ID: 480

RESIDENCY: Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

POSITION SUMMARY:

This research assistant position supports a Food as Medicine (FAM) Feasibility and Pilot Design under an ARI-funded grant at California State University, Chico. This position is appointed through May 2027 and focuses on evaluating the institutional, policy, operational, and community conditions required to establish and sustain a Food as Medicine initiative in Butte County utilizing North Valley Food Hub (NVFH) infrastructure. The research assistant will work with the project team to analyze healthcare policy and reimbursement pathways, conduct community asset mapping, synthesize food security needs assessments, and support the co-design of a regional FAM pilot program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

In this role, the research assistant will conduct a population needs and nutrition security assessment, evaluating qualitative and quantitative community health data to identify priority populations and gaps in food security across Butte County. This work will culminate in an authored synthesis report evaluating evidence-based FAM implementation models best suited to address local nutritional needs. To complement this assessment, the assistant will apply systems thinking and community asset mapping methodologies by cataloging local food, healthcare, and social service infrastructure. Utilizing visual systems mapping tools (such as Kumu, ArcGIS, or MindManager), the incumbent will visually diagram resource connections, referral networks, and structural relationships across the regional food-health system.
A core component of the position involves stakeholder collaboration and engagement. The research assistant will participate in structured planning deliberations alongside North Valley Food Hub (NVFH) leadership, regional specialty crop producers, institutional procurement representatives, and healthcare partners to foster cross-sector collaboration and identify community strengths and operational barriers to FAM adoption. Concurrently, the research assistant will undertake a healthcare policy and health equity evaluation, examining local, state, and federal policy landscapes—specifically focusing on Medi-Cal/Medicaid reimbursement pathways, procurement incentives, and funding mechanisms—and authoring a report on how these policy environments impact the long-term sustainability of regional FAM programs.
Finally, integrating findings from across all project phases, the research assistant will apply an ecological lens, social justice values, and evidence-based practices to lead evidence-based program planning and pilot design. The incumbent will draft a comprehensive, practical FAM pilot program plan and operational workflow for the North Valley Food Hub, establishing a scalable framework for institutional Food as Medicine partnerships in Northern California.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Required Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in a Master of Public Health (MPH) program.
• Experience or training in conducting academic literature reviews, policy analysis, and qualitative and/or quantitative data synthesis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of public health concepts, nutrition security, health equity, community health assessments, and healthcare policy and/or reimbursement structures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to translate complex research into non-technical stakeholder materials, participate in cross-sector deliberations, and co-author project deliverables.

BENEFITS:

• Accrued Sick Leave (1 hour sick for every 30 hours worked)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.