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Job Analysis:
The Research Tech Intermediate role fundamentally centers on the meticulous coordination and execution of data collection operations within a complex population health study. The primary responsibility is to ensure smooth daily operations — from recruiting and enrolling participants, managing lab visits and blood draws, to data quality assurance — all while maintaining strict compliance with ethical standards and IRB protocols. The collaboration with the Study Coordinator and efficient management of a student research assistant team underscore a supervisory and mentoring dimension, emphasizing leadership alongside hands-on operational work. Success in this role hinges on juggling multiple, often unpredictable schedules, fostering clear participant communication, and troubleshooting data and logistic challenges. Technical proficiencies in study-specific software, data validation, and participant management tools are essential to maintain data integrity and flow. Moreover, interpersonal expertise is critical, as the candidate must harmonize the efforts of a diverse research team and nurture participant trust and engagement. Problem-solving will regularly involve addressing recruitment barriers, adapting to participant needs, and resolving team workflow issues. Within the first year, thriving means delivering reliable, high-quality data aligned with study timelines, supporting team competence, and contributing to research outputs through ancillary tasks like literature reviews and content updates, all embedded in a mission-driven academic environment.
Company Analysis:
The University of Michigan, specifically the Institute for Social Research, embodies a prestigious academic and research institution driven by a mission to serve both local and global communities through innovative knowledge creation and dissemination. Positioned as a leading figure in social and behavioral research, the university’s environments are intellectually rigorous yet supportive, blending tradition with cutting-edge methodologies. The role’s housing within the Landscapes of Population Health program signals a forward-looking, interdisciplinary approach—melding historical perspectives with social sciences and data science. The institution values collaboration, respect, and authentic engagement, which suggests the workplace culture balances structure with openness, encouraging continuous learning and contribution beyond narrow job descriptions. For this role, the organizational context appears to be team-based yet structured with clear lines to leadership (e.g., Study Coordinator and principal investigators), offering the candidate visibility and potential influence within a defined research agenda. The strategic importance of the position lies in sustaining and scaling data collection operations critical to impactful studies in population health, thus directly supporting the university’s broader goal of advancing public knowledge and societal well-being. As the position is term-limited but potentially renewable, adaptability and demonstrated impact will be crucial to longevity and advancement, making cultural fit and proactive engagement equally important as technical skills.