Addiction Research Area Specialist Lead/Research Area Specialist Senior (Underfill)
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Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated, self-directed candidate to join a growing research team focused on improving public health, reducing substance use-related stigma, and expanding access to evidence-informed substance use care. The Addiction Research Specialist will partner with study leadership and provide senior-level addiction care training, consultation, and implementation support to clinic partners, and support to the research team, to enhance substance-related care delivery across one or more multi-year research studies. The person in this role may also support a range of study activities, including delivering manualized clinical interventions, research personnel training and supervision, and assisting with risk assessment and management processes. This individual will work with rural clinics, with a focus on enhancing overdose prevention, risk reduction, medication treatment for opioid use disorder, and other evidence based treatments to improve care for patients who use substances. This position may work directly with clinics to understand current workflows, identify barriers and facilitators to substance use care implementation, provide training and consultation, troubleshoot implementation challenges, and assist clinics in adopting or strengthening evidence-informed substance use care practices around overdose prevention and risk reduction.
This role requires a commitment to person-centered, nonjudgmental, low-barrier, and evidence-informed support for people who use substances. The position provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of clinical care, implementation science, community-engaged research while contributing to improved substance use care services for communities across Michigan.
Responsibilities*
Work directly with clinics and community partners to support implementation of evidence-based substance use care and provide technical assistance, including support for workflow development, barrier identification, troubleshooting, and continuous quality improvement to enhance substance-related care delivery
Provide clinical consultation, supervision, education, training, coaching, and technical assistance integrating risk reduction and low-barrier care approaches.
Contribute to writing study interventions, study protocols, research dissemination materials, and education materials.
Supervise research staff on delivering clinic and patient-level interventions related to addiction research.
Support study risk assessment and safety management planning by conducting, training, and refining existing protocols.
Adhere to institutional regulations and study protocols related to patient confidentiality, safety, data integrity, and quality, as well as study scripts, workflows, documentation requirements, and standard operating procedures.
Other responsibilities as needed to fulfill study aims and objectives.
Required Qualifications*
In order to be considered for this position at any level, all applicants must have:
Experience working in patient care and clinical care environments, including in substance use disorders, mental health, or primary care clinics, with proficiency in evidence-informed treatments including harm reduction, overdose education and prevention and medications for opioid use disorders (including buprenorphine or methadone).
The job will require engaging clinic staff and patients in rural communities; therefore, strong interpersonal skills that foster engagement and collaboration, including excellent assessment and written and verbal communication skills, are required.
Ability to provide training, consultation, technical assistance to multidisciplinary teams on sensitive topics including substance use, reducing risk, and overdose prevention.
Ability to take independent initiative and manage time effectively to meet project and community partner goals, with strong attention to detail, organization, and strategic planning. Excellent multi-tasking and problem-solving ability, and strong record-keeping practices.
Ability to work and engage with participants and teams remotely; therefore, access and comfort with technology, remote communication, virtual meeting platforms, and electronic documentation systems is required.
Reliable transportation and ability to travel to the office in Ann Arbor, MI, with possible travel to rural clinics or community sites throughout the State of Michigan.
In order to be considered for this position at the Research Area Specialist Lead level, applicants must also have:
a Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., nursing, social work, pharmacy, psychology).
6 or more years of professional experience in a related field
specialized knowledge in substance use care delivery and treatment models including low-barrier care, buprenorphine and other risk reduction interventions
demonstrated experience providing senior-level clinical consultation, training and supervision, implementation support or technical assistance in clinical, behavioral health, public health, or research settings.
In order to be considered for this position at the Research Area Specialist Senior level, applicants must also have:
a Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., nursing, social work, pharmacy, psychology).
5-6 years of professional experience in a related field
specialized knowledge in substance use care delivery and treatment models including low-barrier care, buprenorphine and other risk reduction interventions
demonstrated experience providing senior-level clinical consultation, training and supervision, implementation support or technical assistance in clinical, behavioral health, public health, or research settings.
Desired Qualifications*
Additional qualifications that will help candidates succeed in this role at any level include:
Demonstrated passion for and experience delivering and/or providing training in low-barrier or harm reduction approaches to substance use care and use of medications for opioid use disorder.
Experience delivering counseling, case management, care coordination, manualized interventions, or brief behavioral health support.
Training and applied experience in motivational interviewing, patient-centered care, and/or trauma-informed care.
Experience providing clinical consultation, supervision, coaching, or training to clinicians, trainees, research therapists, intervention staff, or clinic staff.
Experience with program implementation, technical assistance, practice facilitation, quality improvement, or clinical workflow support.
Previous clinical research experience, particularly with large trials, implementation studies, behavioral interventions, or community-engaged research.
Experience working with rural, underserved, or under-resourced populations with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health needs.
Additional qualifications that will help candidates succeed in this role at the Research Area Specialist Lead level include:
a Doctoral Degree in related field of expertise
Additional qualifications that will help candidates succeed in this role at the Research Area Specialist Senior level include:
a Master's Degree in related field of expertise
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits can you Look Forward to?
Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
2:1 Match on retirement savings
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .
Work Schedule
The person(s) in this position will be responsible for completing a schedule consisting of 40 hours a week, usually held within 5 days.
Our typical workday is either 9am to 5pm or 8am to 4pm based on manager's approval. Some weekend or evening shifts will be needed to meet the goals/needs of the research grant(s).
Flexible hours are available for staff while we work remotely for participant-facing or research activities only or based on manager discretion and approval.
Work Locations
Our team is currently working a hybrid model, with onsite workdays taking place at our offices in Ann Arbor, MI.
Candidates for this position may be required to visit community sites and collaborate with research partners (including the Department of Veterans Affairs) throughout the State of Michigan, thus must have reliable transportation to meet the in-person requirements of the role, when necessary. The hybrid model of this position may change based on research/grant needs or University of Michigan policy updates.
Underfill Statement
This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
In addition to the screenings indicated above under Michigan law, a criminal history check including fingerprinting is required as a condition of transfer or employment for this position.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
E-Verify
The University of Michigan participates with the federal EVerify system. Individuals hired into positions that are funded by a federal contract with the FAR EVerify clause must have their identity and work eligibility confirmed by the EVerify system. This position is identified as a position that may include the EVerify requirement.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
281399
Working Title
Addiction Research Area Specialist Lead/Research Area Specialist Senior (Underfill)
Job Title
Research Area Specialist Lead
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Medical School
Department
MM Psych Addiction
Posting Begin/End Date
8/18/2026 - 9/11/2026
Career Interest
Research
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