Director of Community-Engaged Research at University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Job Description:

About the Job

The Director of Research leads UROC's mission-driven work related to community-engaged scholarship and research in UROC's community-identified priority areas: health and wellness, education and lifelong learning, and community and economic development. Areas of responsibility include:

• Working with the UROC Advisory Council to identify potential research questions, develop university- community research and engagement teams to address the questions, and identify and support funding proposals to support the research.\
• Designing, conducting, and reporting on studies for each project that provide formative and summative evaluation of strategies for implementation and dissemination as well as of partnership practices and quality.
• Contributing to the scholarly literature on university-community partnerships and related areas such as implementation science or translational research.
• Co-leading UROC graduate student and faculty research fellows programs.
• Contributing to the Office of Public Engagement's professional development agenda to build capacity of the University's faculty, staff, and students to do high-quality engaged scholarship in partnership with communities.
• Building research partnerships with university faculty, staff, students, community and governmental organizations, and residents to ensure that UROC is meeting the community-anchored research mission.

The Director of Research is expected to take leadership and responsibility for executing the research agenda but works closely with the Director for Community Engagement. This is a 100%-time, 12-month, annually renewable appointment in the academic and professions series (Job Classification 9742R6, Researcher 6). The position reports directly to the Vice Provost for Public Engagement.

Essential Job Functions

• 65% - Deliver research projects in partnership with community that are ethical, methodologically sound, action-focused, and value-added to communities. Includes all phases of community-engaged research including inception, design, funding applications, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and action, as well as supervision of research staff.
• 15% - Work with campus and community constituents to catalyze engaged scholarship through research-based partnerships at UROC, training and technical assistance on
  community-engaged methods and approaches, mentorship of students, interns and fellows, and teaching.
• 15% - Provide a research lens to UROC projects including support for research. With support from the Administrative Services Manager, oversee the partnership affiliation
  documentation process and general documentation about UROC as an engaged university unit.
• 5% - Promote the University of Minnesota, UROC, and engaged scholarship on the University of Minnesota campus, nationally, and internationally.

About the Unit

The University of Minnesota's Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) mission is to "link the University in vital public partnership to advance learning, improve the quality of life, and discover breakthrough solutions to critical problems." We do this by transforming how universities and communities work together in three priority areas: health and wellness, education and lifelong learning, and community and economic development. UROC operates in two ways. First, UROC staff catalyzes University system-wide engaged research and scholarship by supporting members of the University and urban communities across the Twin Cities to work together in mutually beneficial partnership. Second, UROC facilitates research projects in collaboration with community as equal partners, driven by community questions. UROC is a convener and anchor institution within our community of North Minneapolis.

BENEFITS

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted online at the University of Minnesota career website. To be considered for this position, please go to Career site, click the Apply button, and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and MUST attach the following:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter outlining how you meet the required/preferred qualifications of the position
• Statement demonstrating how you envision building an exemplary center-based program of university-community research that is driven by community-identified questions and facilitates the engaged scholarship of University faculty, staff, and students
• List of three professional references including their contact information

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 10, 2024. This position will be open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD and demonstrated record of publication related to implementation science, translational research, evaluation methods and practices, and/or engaged scholarship.
• Knowledge and experience working with diverse communities.
• Ability to work across disciplines and focus areas of research to address UROC's three priority areas for research.
• Experience developing interdisciplinary research teams and facilitating funding applications.
• Experience supervising research staff.
• Demonstrated expertise and leadership in community-engaged research methods and approaches including: partnership development; institutional review board application
  relevant to community engaged research; ethical considerations of university- community research.
• Evidence of taking research to practice, action and/or broader community use through creation, dissemination, and adoption of products and findings for community constituencies.
• Demonstrated success in soliciting research grants and other fund raising; as well as documented experience in administration of research funding.
• Ability to develop and implement research without direct supervision.
• Experience mentoring and teaching community-engaged research workshops and/or courses.
• Be able to be on-site at least 3 days per week.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in implementation science, translation science or evaluation science.
• Recognized leader in field.

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