Social/Clinical Research Assistant

Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

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.

The TEACCH Autism Program began in 1972 as a system of university-based regional centers to serve autistic children, adolescents and adults and their families. As part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the program has an active clinical, teaching, and research program. TEACCH operates seven community regional clinics across the state. Each center offers a set of core services along with unique demonstration programs meeting the needs of autistic individuals, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina. Also, part of TEACCH are the Carolina Living and Learning Center, a residential/vocational training facility for autistic adults as well as an Employment Services program providing Job Coaching and related services to autistic adults.

TEACCH is part of the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers ( AHEC) program and faculty are actively involved in student and professional training activities within the state, nation, and across the world. All TEACCH programs are coordinated through a central administration and research unit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

TEACCH provides clinical services such as diagnostic evaluations, psychotherapy, speech language therapy, and parent support groups. In addition, TEACCH conducts training nationally and internationally and provides consultation for teachers, residential care providers, and other professionals from a variety of disciplines. Research activities include clinical trials intervention and implementation studies.

This position is located at the TEACCH Administration & Research Building in Carrboro, NC.

This position will serve as an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator within the UNC TEACCH Autism Program. This NIH Stage 1 mixed methods study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and efficacy of a multi-level physical activity intervention, Physical Activity and Community Empowerment ( PACE). PACE is a 16-week multi-level program that utilizes self-management strategies, including goal-setting, self monitoring, and visual supports to help adults with ID engage in the program more independently through an interactive web-based dashboard. Adults with ID work with a support coach to increase daily step counts and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by engaging in individualized aerobic and strength training activities. The project is currently focused on aim 2 - conducting a feasibility and piloting a randomized controlled trial (Stage 1B). This phase will use a waitlist control experimental design with 120 adults with ID in two sites (North Carolina and Arkansas). We will measure the efficacy of PACE on increasing physical activity and explore hypotheses regarding the potential efficacy of the intervention's effect on physical activity. The findings from this project will lay the essential groundwork for a large-scale, Stage III-IV efficacy-effectiveness trial of PACE in community exercise settings throughout the US. Our long-term goal is to promote healthy physical activity behaviors through inclusive community settings, examine the long-term impact of these programs in preventing Alzheimer's disease and related dementia in aging adults with ID, and improve well-being in adults with ID.

In addition to PACE, this position will support the HEELS 2 Transition program and research projects which involve supporting young adults with ID in seeking an inclusive postsecondary education experience and transition to adulthood skill-building classes. Program evaluations involve direct assessments and questionnaires. Current research projects involve interviews and qualitative analyses as well as an intervention study testing out HEELS 2 Participation, eLearning modules and toolkits developed for supporting the transition to adulthood.

The Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator assists with the execution of study protocols, including screening and recruiting study participants, conducting study visits, and collecting, entering, and reviewing study data.

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.