OVERVIEW 

Launched in October 2016, Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan is an interdisciplinary initiative that is a leader in informing, identifying, and testing new strategies for the prevention and alleviation of poverty in Michigan, the nation and the world. While rooted in an understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty, the focus of Poverty Solutions is an action-based research agenda. The initiative partners with community and policy makers to inform and test strategies for the prevention and alleviation of poverty. 
 

We pride ourselves on working in partnership with community in everything we do, co-creating our research agenda based on the concerns and needs of both residents and community leaders. We seek to confront and eliminate racism of all kinds through these research priorities and practical engagement. We view poverty as the result of many interlinked systems that fail to operate as they should for those with low incomes. Therefore, we work not in one area, but within and across a variety of systems, enabling us to intervene in a number of domains to make concrete improvements in the lives of people with low incomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Poverty Solutions is seeking Research Assistants to assist with the Guaranteed Income to Grow Ann Arbor (GIG A2) pilot program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to be patient and compassionate with clients or residents seeking guidance or support

• Excellent verbal communication skills

• Interest in cross-disciplinary approaches to poverty alleviation– applicants from all units across campus are encouraged to apply. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Office Suite 

• Punctual and accurate communicator, responsive to email, phone calls or other communications from manager 

• Excellent organization with demonstrated attention to detail 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including spelling, grammar and punctuation 

• Ability to work both as part of a team and individually while meeting deadlines: Candidate will report to multiple supervisors and must be able to successfully manage a workload with multiple priorities. 

• Interest in being a part of a fast-paced initiative, with desire to be flexible and adapt to evolving priorities. 

• Works with initiative and proactively looks for new opportunities

• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work cooperatively and professionally with faculty and staff across the University of Michigan campus, with local and national partners, including members of the community, and to serve as a representative of the initiative.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Ability to meet participants at public locations, such as the Downtown Ann Arbor library

• Fluency in Spanish

Interested candidates can apply by completing the Research Assistant Application Form at this link: https://airtable.com/app9PQhFs6c3hE6mN/shrqNzr38mIIieAJC

A cover letter is optional. When applying, select “GIG A2 Research Assistant Fall25” under “Application.”

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Leonymae Aumentado at the above email address.