Military Health Research Assistant

This Research Assistant opportunity will support the activities of a groundbreaking collaboration between the Fort Bragg Department of Public Health, Cumberland County Department of Public Health, and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Fort Bragg, located in eastern North Carolina, is the largest military installation in the world, with 55,000 soldiers stationed at the base. An additional 150,000 family members and beneficiaries live on base and in an 8-county region surrounding Fort Bragg. For the past two years, UNC Lineberger Cancer Center has partnered with the Fort Bragg and Cumberland County Departments of Public Health to address the pressing health issues of tobacco use, healthy food access, HPV vaccinations, and COVID-19 response. We are seeking a Research Assistant for the 2021-2022 academic year to support this work.

The Research Assistant will work with Lieutenant Colonel Teresa Pearce, Director of the Fort Bragg Department of Public Health, Dr. Kurt Ribisl, Professor and Chair of Health Behavior, and Hannah Prentice-Dunn from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Military Health Research Assistant will:

• Support the research and practice activities of a 5-year, CDC National Tobacco Control Program grant to reduce the tobacco use rate on Fort Bragg from 26-17% by 2025.
• Work with UNC and Fort Bragg leaders to implement HPV vaccinations as routine care across base.
• Collect relevant information and resources to support Fort Bragg’s COVID-19 response and vaccination rollout.
• Work with the UNC and Fort Bragg teams to connect with national Military health leaders across the country to disseminate this work.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on public health experience, and to learn about the most pressing health issues in the US military. The position will require 15 hours/week, will be funded at an hourly rate of $20/hour. The Research Assistant position is planned for August 2021 – May 2022, with an optional earlier start date.

Education: The position should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, or related area.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements: This position requires a substantial capacity to work independently in a complex, fast-paced research environment. The
candidate must possess excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills. The candidate must possess the ability to work in teams and independently. The candidate must be attentive to detail, organized, and able to seek advice when project concerns arise.

If interested in this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume to Hannah Prentice-Dunn; hannahpd@unc.edu by 5pm on Friday, April 23rd, 2021.