Research Associate (Part-Time) - Community Engagement: South Asian Community

Title: Research Associate (Part-Time) - Community Engagement: South Asian Community

Employee Classification: Research Associate-Hourly

Campus: University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth

Division: HSC-Provost & Exec VP

Sub Division-Department: HSC-Texas Coll of Osteopathic Med

Department: HSC-Dept of Population & Comm Hlth-303300

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: $16.00/hour

FTE: .48

Retirement Eligibility: Not Retirement Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year. We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team. Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Department of Public Health in the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNT Health is seeking a part-time Research Associate.

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated, organized, and community-centered Part-Time Research Associate to support a public health research project focused on engagement with the South Asian community across the DFW metroplex. This role is ideal for someone who is a self-starter, communicates effectively with community partners, and can help plan, lead, and support culturally responsive engagement activities. The Research Associate will also support the PI and research team with data collection tasks and basic research operations. This position requires flexibility to attend and support community activities that may occur in the evenings and/or on weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to speak at least one South Asian language (e.g., Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, or other South Asian language).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including comfort interacting with community partners and diverse community members.
• Ability to work independently as a self-starter while also collaborating effectively with a research team.
• Ability to attend events and activities scheduled during evenings and/or weekends.
• Ability to travel locally within the DFW metroplex.
• Cultural humility and ability to engage respectfully across all South Asian communities.
• Professionalism and reliability, especially when representing the project in community settings.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Strong time management and follow-through.
• Comfort handling sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Public Health (MPH) degree (completed or in progress) or a closely related field.
• Experience with community-based participatory research (CBPR), qualitative interviewing, survey administration, or public health fieldwork.
• Familiarity with human subjects research practices (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent).
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in community engagement, outreach, or community-based work—preferably with the South Asian community.

Job Duties

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with South Asian community partners, stakeholders, and participants.
• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of community engagement activities across the DFW metroplex.
• Lead community engagement activities, including facilitating small group discussions, outreach sessions, informational events, and/or community meetings.
• Coordinate event logistics (e.g., scheduling, confirming locations, preparing materials, tracking attendance, follow-up communication).
• Communicate professionally and consistently with community partners to ensure activities are well-coordinated and aligned with project goals.
• Support the PI and research team in data collection activities, which may include participant recruitment, consenting, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and/or observational data collection (as applicable to the project).
• Assist with documentation and organization of research materials (e.g., outreach logs, field notes, contact lists, meeting notes).
• Support accurate data entry and maintenance of project records using spreadsheets or research databases (as needed).
• Adhere to ethical research practices and confidentiality requirements, especially when working with community members.
• Track and report engagement activities, deliverables, and timelines to the PI.
• Assist with meeting coordination, preparation of agendas/materials, and note-taking.
• Contribute ideas to strengthen outreach, engagement strategies, and culturally appropriate communication materials.
• Perform other responsibilities aligned with the role and assigned by the PI to support project milestones.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Lifting and moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

19 hours/week during the 12-month appointment period. Activities may occur evenings and weekends.

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.