Health Disparities Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Complete orientation and Professional Development training for mentoring
• Provide meaningful mentorship in-person to high school students
• Assist students' learning and development with research and lab skills
• Engage students with STEM and personal development topics
  • College readiness, choosing a school
  • Being a STEM or pre-med major (or related career fields)
  • Overcoming challenges in higher education

The Summer Near Peer Research Mentor position offers an undergraduate student pursuing a STEM research-related major the opportunity to mentor high school students to promote STEM education and career development, with a particular focus on engaging and encouraging students with little exposure to higher education. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic about science, ready to try new things, and excited to connect and share with teenagers.

M-ASCEND is an NIH grant-funded program that is a collaboration between the Masonic Cancer Center and the Program for Health Disparities Research. M-ASCEND offers 8 high school juniors the opportunity to work on UMN-Minneapolis campus two days/week in July. In the program, high school interns will build foundational research skills; attend lectures on health disparities, public health and cancer biology; learn lab skills; network and tour professional UMN research labs; and build college readiness and professional skills.

Undergraduate mentors will support program staff in providing daily programming for the high schoolers all Wednesdays and Thursdays in July on campus from 8:30am-3:30pm, in addition to set up, clean up, and virtual work/ team meetings. Mentors will be trained and supported by staff in all tasks; there will be flexible opportunities to lead some sessions based on mentor interest and experience. Mentors will also attend daily lunch, professional lab visits, and lectures with the high schoolers to support Safety of Minors protocol. This position is 30-40 hours/week from June 15, 2026 - August 1, 2026.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• A undergraduate student, at least 19 years of age, able to accept legal employment at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Pursuing a health science/science career; majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Public Health, Pre-Med or related.
• Experience with basic biology laboratory equipment (microscopes, micropipettes, gel electrophoresis, etc.)
• Ability to maintain professionalism in all settings and engage effectively with a broad range of individuals
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with participants, staff, and faculty by using advanced written, verbal, and listening communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with teenagers; a background check and Safety of Minors training will be required
• Experience in a research laboratory or performing inquiry-style experiments
• An interest in teaching

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residencies-five in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School's two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programs-sports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality- and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at https://med.umn.edu/familymedicine.

Pay Rate: $15.25 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).