Public Health: Student Researcher

Student Researcher – Lincoln Lab

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Wen School of Population and Public Health
University of California, Irvine

The Lincoln Lab at the University of California, Irvine invites applications to serve as a Student Researcher on an NIH funded project focused on social determinants of health, brain health, and strategies to increase participation of Black Americans in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research and clinical trials.

Black Americans are approximately twice as likely to be diagnosed with cognitive impairment and ADRD compared to white Americans, yet they remain substantially underrepresented in research and clinical trials. This study aims to develop socially and culturally aligned approaches to engaging Black communities in brain health research and to inform the development of a future Black Aging Cohort in Southern California. The project focuses on identifying structural and social determinants of health that influence willingness and opportunity to participate in ADRD research, with particular attention to neighborhood level contexts in Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and Orange County.

The researcher will work closely with Dr. Karen D. Lincoln and an interdisciplinary research team. This role is designed for a student seeking advanced research training in community-engaged health disparities research, mixed methods approaches, and translational strategies to improve equity in clinical research participation.

The researcher will take a leadership role in multiple aspects of the project. Responsibilities include supporting stakeholder engagement activities and helping develop and sustain partnerships with community organizations and leaders involved in Citizen Panels and Community Equity Boards. The student will contribute to the design and implementation of community engagement strategies that support brain health awareness and facilitate dialogue about participation in ADRD research.

The student will also contribute to the development of research tools and materials, including designing facilitation guides, training manuals, and protocols for Citizen Panels, Community Equity Boards, and focus groups. These materials will support the development of replicable community engagement models that can inform national recruitment and engagement strategies for ADRD clinical trials.

The position includes both qualitative and quantitative analytic responsibilities. The researcher will assist with the design and facilitation of focus groups with Black community members and will conduct qualitative data analysis, including coding, thematic analysis, and synthesis of findings related to social determinants of health, structural barriers, and facilitators to research participation.

Quantitative responsibilities include analyzing neighborhood level indicators of social determinants of health using datasets such as the Area Deprivation Index, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality SDOH database, and regional equity mapping tools. The student will help examine relationships between neighborhood characteristics and potential barriers to engagement in research and clinical trials. Experience with GIS mapping or spatial analysis is a plus but not required.

The researcher will also contribute to the integration of qualitative and quantitative findings to inform neighborhood specific community engagement strategies and recruitment approaches.

Required Qualifications

Current enrollment as a student at the University of California, Irvine in public health, sociology, epidemiology, psychology, social sciences, or related fields.

Strong quantitative data analysis skills using statistical software such as SAS, R, or Stata.

Experience with qualitative research methods, including facilitating focus groups or interviews and analyzing qualitative data.

Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities and an interest in community engaged research.

Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills.

Interest in health disparities, social determinants of health, aging, brain health, and Alzheimer’s disease research.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with community engaged or community based participatory research.

Experience with mixed methods research design.

Experience with GIS mapping or spatial analysis of neighborhood level data.

Interest in translational research focused on improving equity in clinical trials and cohort development.

Professional Development

This position provides advanced doctoral level research training in mixed methods health disparities research, community engaged research design, and translational strategies for improving representation in clinical research. The GSR will have opportunities to co-author manuscripts for peer reviewed journals, present findings at professional conferences, and contribute to the development of future NIH proposals, including an R01 focused on establishing a Black Aging Cohort in Southern California. Appointments will be considered at an FTE of 50-100%.

Application Instructions

Graduate students interested in joining the research team should submit a résumé or curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their research experience, methodological skills, and interest in the project.

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