Research Specialist - Outreach and Dissemination

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan School of Public Health seeks a Creative and collaborative Research Specialist to lead outreach and dissemination for the Prevention Research Collaborative.

You will translate findings for diverse audiences, coordinate website and social media, track publications, and support presentations and proposals while working with faculty, partners, and project managers. Hybrid work options available; strong writing and coordination skills essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health, social work, information science, communications, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience developing and implementing outreach plans; 4–5 years for the Intermediate level.
• Strong writing and editing skills; ability to translate research for nonacademic audiences.
• Experience creating and coordinating website or social media content.
• Demonstrated project coordination skills and ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Interest in community-based prevention research and health equity.

Responsibilities

• Translate public health findings into accessible materials for diverse audiences.
• Lead cross-project communications and coordinate outreach priorities.
• Develop and implement dissemination plans with research teams and partners.
• Track publications and promote through summaries, websites, social media, and networks.
• Support presentations, reports, and proposals; maintain content calendars and branding.
• Coordinate events and community outreach to share findings.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Content coordination

Project coordination

Communication with partners

Education

Master's degree in public health or related field

Job description

Research Specialist - Outreach and Dissemination

Who We Are

The Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity (HBHE) at the University of Michigan School of Public Health brings together faculty, students, and staff committed to an equitable, healthy future for all. We translate theory and research into interventions and innovations that promote health, prevent disease, support people managing chronic illness and disabilities, and facilitate collective action for social change. Through research, teaching, and partnerships, we work to eliminate health disparities and improve lives.

Responsibilities*

• Research translation and dissemination: Translate public health research findings into clear, engaging, and accessible materials for academic, community, practitioner, policy, and public audiences.
• Cross-project coordination: Lead the PRC's cross-collaborative communications team and work with project managers to coordinate outreach and dissemination priorities across affiliated centers and projects
• Dissemination planning: Develop and implement dissemination plans with research teams and community partners, identifying appropriate audiences, formats, channels, and timelines.
• Publication tracking and promotion: Maintain a record of research publications and coordinate timely dissemination through research summaries, website updates, social media, partner networks, and other channels.
• Content development and coordination: Plan, develop, and maintain website and social media content. Coordinate content calendars, branding, promotion, and analytics to assess reach and engagement.
• Community outreach and events: Support community-based outreach and help plan and coordinate events that share research findings, engage partners, and promote the use of research.
• Research products and proposal support: Assist with developing and editing manuscripts, presentations, reports, proposals, data visualizations, and other research and dissemination products.
  

Required Qualifications*

• Master's degree in public health, social work, information science, communications, or a related field
• 1-2 years of experience developing and implementing outreach or dissemination plans for multiple audiences and platforms, and 4-5 years for the Intermediate level.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate research findings for nonacademic audiences in public health or the social sciences.
• Experience creating and coordinating website, social media, or other digital content.
• Demonstrated project coordination skills, including managing timelines, organizing information, and balancing multiple priorities.
• Ability to develop creative approaches, communicate ideas clearly, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Interest in community-based prevention research, school health, mental health, housing, health equity, or related fields.
  

Course Description

The Prevention Research Collaborative (PRC), based in the Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, seeks a creative and collaborative Research Specialist to lead research outreach and dissemination activities.

The PRC brings together a broad portfolio of community-engaged public health research, including the NIH-funded PEER Research Hub, CDC Prevention Research Center, Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, Youth Empowerment Solutions, Housing Solutions for Health Equity, and Healthy Minds Study. Our teams work with academic and community partners to advance prevention research and translate findings into practice.

This position will help make research findings accessible, relevant, and useful to community partners, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and the public. Responsibilities include developing dissemination strategies and products, coordinating website and social media content, tracking and promoting publications, and supporting presentations, reports, and proposals. The specialist will also lead the PRC's cross-collaborative communications team to coordinate priorities and activities across centers and projects.

The position reports to the PRC Managing Director and works closely with faculty, center and project managers, research staff, and community partners.

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 .

The work requirements allow both onsite and offsite work and an employee has an expected recurring onsite presence. On occasion, the employee may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by unit leadership or their designee and/or the job requirements.

hybrid. 1-2 days in the office. But remote may be available

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Associate: $46,877-$57,907; Intermediate: $58,097- $71,767

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 do so. 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 maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time 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.