Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues. To be considered for this position, all supplemental questions must be answered.

Position Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Community and Public Health to oversee research produced in cooperation with a set of partner organizations in and around the Houston region on topics such as non-medical drivers of health/social determinants of health, mental health, immigrant health, community health needs assessments, chronic illness, wellness and well-being among marginalized communities, and access to healthcare. The Associate Director for the health center will support the Director of the Center in the development and implementation of studies, grant proposals, research briefs and publications, and supervision of research staff at the Health Center, utilizing research-practice partnership principles.

The Associate Director is responsible for improving and sustaining the quality of research at KIUR by providing review and input on research products, communicating findings to wide and varying audiences, and helping lead and strategically plan the development of the Community and Public Health research center. The Associate Director of Community and Public Health will work collaboratively with the Director of Community and Public Health, other center directors, the Executive Director, and other leadership throughout the institute. The position also offers opportunities for teaching and affiliation with an academic department, contributing to the academic mission of Rice University.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is an interdisciplinary research organization that works in direct partnership with community agencies and organizations that use its research, data, and policy analysis to implement solutions to critical challenges facing the Houston region. The institute aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. It consists of (and is developing) five centers that conduct research on housing , education , public health , economic mobility , and population dynamics . Centers conduct research that focuses on their particular topics, as well as research that intersects across centers, through interdisciplinary teams that specialize in solutions-oriented, community-engaged research called research-practice partnerships ( RPPs ).

The Kinder Institute is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our research and service endeavors. We strive to promote an environment that welcomes and respects diverse backgrounds, experiences, and views, as this diversity strengthens our research and our collaborative outreach efforts.

The ideal candidate thrives in a team environment, actively leading, collaborating, and motivating others. They will have superior interpersonal, scientific, and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Workplace Requirements

This position offers a hybrid work schedule within Harris County and surrounding counties, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a hiring salary of $100,000 - $115,000, contingent on experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. or Doctoral Degree in health or social science, such as psychology, public health, epidemiology, sociology, or related field.
• Three or more years of postdoctoral experience leading and mentoring research staff and conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research projects
• Two years of supervisory experience
• Skills
  • Excellent analytical and research skills, including experience with peer-reviewed publications and grant writing
  • Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Ability to translate and present research findings to diverse audiences
  • Ability to work in a team environment, participate actively, collaborate, and motivate others
  • Must be able to demonstrate skills such as flexibility, determination, and decisiveness
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and direct and distribute the workload of staff researchers

Preferences

• Five or more years of experience developing and managing research projects, managing data, and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, such as multilevel modeling, causal modeling, quasi-experimental methods, survey design, focus groups, and qualitative interviews
• Adept leader with five or more years of experience leading a team and supervising others
• One year of experience doing community-engaged research or other types of collaborative or partnership work
• Adaptable to change and able to think creatively to address issues
• Works well in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Bilingual and fluent in Spanish

Essential Functions

• Consults and plans with the Community and Public Health research center director and other staff to develop, strategize, and facilitate the research process
• Performs research by conducting independent studies, facilitating other ongoing research, and developing and validating new protocols, methodologies, and/or theories
• Actively works to improve the institute's reputation and research capabilities
• Collaborates with the Community and Public Health research center director in the development of grant funding opportunities
• Leads the research design and oversees the analysis of multiple projects
• Supervises, trains, and mentors a team of researchers and students at various stages in their career
• Establishes, builds, and maintains relationships and partnerships with community organizations and other external stakeholders in the Houston and surrounding area
• Develops and presents research findings to diverse audiences via varied means (e.g., research briefs, presentations, interactive data tools)
• Attends weekly staff and research team meetings
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Co-presents grant-related research findings at appropriate professional conferences
• Locates new data and acquires any necessary permissions needed to use, extract, and merge data with data from other sources
• Collects, organizes, manages, and maintains original data as needed, as well as works with KIUR's data team to secure original and existing data products
• Analyzes data according to the research agenda

Kinder Institute for Urban Research

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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