Senior 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. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit The mission of the School of Social Work is to advance equity, transform systems, and improve lives. The School's curriculum supports the mission and recognizes the uniqueness of the region served, including concerns for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and oppressed individuals, families, and communities. Classes provide rigorous and evidence-based content, and give students the opportunity to explore theory, learn intervention skills and engage in challenging dialogue with colleagues. The School works to become the leading school of social work for impact - generating knowledge with powerful and positive consequences. The School of Social Work offers M.S.W. and Ph.D. degrees. Dual degrees are offered in Law, Public Health, Public Administration, and Divinity (with Duke University). The faculty members of the School of Social Work have strong collaborative relationships with many campus units such as the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Law, Government, Education, and the Department of City and Regional Planning as well as University Centers and Institutes such as the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, the Carolina Population Center, the Center for Developmental Sciences, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, and the Institute on Aging. We also maintain dynamic relationships with community agencies, state and federal government, and research groups in the Research Triangle Park and across the U.S. To learn more about the School of Social Work, please visit our website at Position Summary This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. If business needs change, an individual employee's designation may be adjusted with a required minimum of ten (10) business days' notice unless employee conduct or safety issues necessitate otherwise at the discretion of management. Supervised by Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson, the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Senior Research Associate to work with a team of faculty, staff, community partners, and students on research projects related to child welfare practice (e.g., kinship care, culturally-specific delivery of child welfare services, youth transitioning from the child welfare system, foster youth who are pregnant and/or parenting, increasing the well-being of youth and caregivers, intersection of children's mental health and child welfare system involvement, and macro analysis and reform of child welfare systems). The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for developing funding proposals for sponsored research submissions, directing the grant activities with the funding agencies, and creating strategic partnerships in support of research related to child welfare practice. The position will manage the School of Social Work team consisting of research assistants, interventionists, research and evaluation consultants at partner universities, and graduate students and other support staff as needed. The role will direct the daily operations of the research program including departmental, university, federal, and nonfederal reporting requirements including hiring, purchasing, training/education and project management and supervision. The Senior Research Associate will work to build local community partnerships with national research collaboratives that will primarily focus on projects related to evaluating services for kinship caregivers, developing and overseeing implementation of interventions that promote protective factors and increase the psychosocial, economic, and emotional well-being of kinship families, and translation of research discoveries related to tailoring child welfare support and interventions to the needs of vulnerable children and families. The position will also conduct literature reviews; conduct qualitative and quantitative data collection; develop grant applications; develop study designs, study protocols and IRB applications; manage and analyze qualitative and quantitative data; and disseminate research in scholarly as well as practitioner- and policy-based venues. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements 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. Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience * Knowledge of advanced social science research methods * Knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics * Ability to manage large databases and produce data displays * Ability to manage mixed methods, cross sectional, and longitudinal projects * Knowledge of survey research, quasi experimental design, and experimental methods * Demonstrated skills in the evaluation of program implementation and outcomes * Skills and experience writing manuscripts, issuing briefs, and/or technical reports * Exceptional organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to work independently * Ability to coordinate the work of large research, writing groups, and meet project deliverables and multi-component work plans on time Ability to work respectfully with low-resourced families who have been challenged to secure services and resources needed to foster the health and wellbeing of their family. Ability to work with diverse groups of people in a fluid work environment and to adapt to change * Ability to effectively manage and supervise a team with diverse expertise to meet grant and project related deliverables Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience * PhD in social sciences or higher education, or a related field * Prior experience working directly with child welfare-engaged families and or those who have encountered adversity and socioeconomic challenges * Prior experience working in a research role in higher education Special Physical/Mental Requirements NA Campus Security Authority Responsibilities Not Applicable. Special Instructions Quick Link

Created: 2026-04-15