Title: Research Associate Senior (Director of Science, #0077950T) READVERTISEMENT
Position Number: 0077950T
Hiring Unit: Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, Dept of Public Health Sciences
Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Date Posted: May 29, 2026
Closing Date: July 31, 2026
Salary: Salary schedules and placement information:
https://www.hawaii.edu/ohr/documents/14236
Additional Salary Information: PBB, minimum $5,434/month, Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Funding: Federal Funds
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Other Conditions: To begin approximately July 2026 or as soon thereafter. Position renewable upon availability of funds, program needs, and satisfactory performance. Not a remote position.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic scientific direction, execution, administrative coordination, and strategic compliance of the Red Hill Registry Science Team, ensuring all data collection instruments and utilization efforts align with registry’s goals and deliverables.
- Collaborate with project stakeholders to further the registry's efforts to achieve project milestones.
- Represent the Red Hill Registry at selected external meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements in coordination with the Director, maintaining professional relationships with key partners.
- Coordinate the identification and implementation of new initiatives and data-driven projects to enhance the Registry’s long-term impact and sustainability.
- Identify relevant extramural funding opportunities and provide technical support in the development of research proposals and grant applications to sustain and expand registry programs.
- Support the design and implementation of studies involving public health and environmental health methodologies, including epidemiological analysis.
- Lead the preparation and submission of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
- Utilize existing environmental and health datasets to design and refine assessment tools (questionnaires) that accurately capture participant exposure and outcomes.
- Monitor and optimize the team’s internal systems and processes to ensure maximum operational efficiency and high-quality outputs.
- Plan and deliver scientific workshops to synthesize diverse perspectives and guide strategic decision-making.
- Produce annual reports and presentations related to the Science Team for funding agencies, community partners, Congress and other stakeholders.
- Oversee administrative requirements for the Science Team, including managing project budgets.
- Build strong partnerships across the UH System, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i (RCUH), and University Health Partners to navigate system and department processes and workflows for finance, human resources/hiring, policies/procedures, administration, and more.
- Manage staff to include scheduling and delegating tasks effectively; approving employee time sheets and expense reports as needed; and mentoring students, research assistants, and junior scientists by conducting regular check-ins, providing feedback, coordinating professional development opportunities, and overseeing work quality and productivity.
- Ensure strong communication and alignment between the Registry team, departmental leadership, and administrative staff.
- Evaluate the relationship between environmental factors and community health outcomes to inform future organizational strategy.
- Provide specialized technical support to other Registry efforts, such as Education and Outreach, as operational needs arise.
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Other duties as assigned
- Denotes Essential Functions
Minimum Qualifications
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Possession of a baccalaureate degree in public health, environmental health, health sciences, epidemiology, engineering, geology, geography, psychology, social work, public policy, or related field and 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for public health, grant writing grant management, project management, personnel management, health sciences, epidemiology, health literacy health policy initiatives and or health science initiatives; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
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Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of leading multi-institutional or community-based projects as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
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Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with human subjects research and best practices.
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Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
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Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally, and by preparation of reports and other materials.
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Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
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Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
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If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Supplemental Minimum Qualifications
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Proven record of peer-reviewed publications and successful grant proposal development.
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Excellent mentoring abilities.
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Demonstrated understanding of organizational processes and ability to implement processes to improve efficiency and gain organizational acceptance through basic change management skills.
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Ability to travel for the purpose of attending meetings, training, and other activities in support of the project.
Desirable Qualifications
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Master's or Doctoral level degree in public health, health sciences, environmental health, epidemiology, engineering, geology, geography, public policy, psychology, social work, or related field.
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Experience working with federally-funded projects within higher education systems in support of research and community programs.
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Strong analytical skills, with experience in epidemiological data analysis and/or exposure assessment.
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Understanding of the importance of cultural competence in the workplace and in the community impacted by the Red Hill water crisis.
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Familiarity with the University of Hawai'i System.
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Familiarity with the Department of Defense and military communities.
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Familiarity with the Red Hill water crisis.
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Knowledge of trauma-informed communication methods and sensitivity when presenting to communities impacted by traumatic events.
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Knowledge of health and healthcare disparities with respect to issues specifically related to military families, Native Hawaiians, and underrepresented minorities in Hawaii.
To Apply:
. Applicant must submit the following:
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Cover letter describing how you meet the minimum qualifications and desirable qualifications
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Names and contact information (including email addresses) of at least 3 professional references
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Current curriculum vitae.
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Copies of official undergraduate and graduate (as applicable) transcripts indicating degree conferred date with confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) redacted. However, original official transcripts are required upon hire.
Transcripts issued outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA.
Incomplete, late or unreadable applications will not be considered. Academic record/grade summaries will not be accepted. Diplomas and copies will not be accepted.
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Inquiries: Rosanna Weldon, [email protected]
