Dental Public Health Graduate Student Research Assistant

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, dentistry, social sciences, or related field.
• Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Strong written and oral communication, with demonstrated ability to contribute to scientific writing.
• Cultural humility and skills for working with underserved communities.

Preferred:

• Prior involvement in oral health, behavioral health, or health disparities research.
• Experience working with large-scale datasets.
• Familiarity with community-based participatory research (CBPR) models and tribal IRB protocols.

The Division of Dental Public Health is providing an opportunity to Master or PhD Level student for a research assistant position.

Supervisor: Dr. Tamanna Tiwari, Chair of Primary Dental Care, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

Research Focus: Dr. Tiwari conducts leading-edge research on oral health disparities across underserved communities—particularly Indigenous, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ populations—exploring behavioral health integration, social determinants of health, and data-driven approaches to population oral health outcomes

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with design, implementation, and management of community-based research projects focused on oral health equity.
• Support mixed-methods data collection and analysis.
• Conduct literature reviews and help draft manuscripts, grant proposals, and conference abstracts.
• Coordinate with community partners, tribal organizations, and underserved populations to support equitable research engagement.
• Help maintain IRB protocols and compliance for human subjects research.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state’s only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. The School of Dentistry advances health through scientific discovery, innovative education, and the highest quality care for all communities. Our impact extends beyond dental offices to classrooms and clinics throughout the region. We educate dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators, and research scientists.

Student positions are a form of financial support while pursuing an education at the University of Minnesota.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a 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 School of Dentistry promotes inclusive excellence for student recruitment, faculty and staff hiring and when caring for patients. Thus, we seek candidates who strive for inclusive excellence to well equip learners to care for all populations.

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).