About the Institute
The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) is one of the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and families. More than 250 researchers, implementation and technical assistance specialists, staff, and students work on more than 50 projects related to developmental disabilities; early care and education; physical, social, and emotional health; and racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity. Our work crosses many disciplines from education and psychology to social work and public health.
FPG researchers study important issues facing children and families, and we use this information to enhance policy and improve practice. We are committed to sharing the information we generate with the public and to supporting professionals’ understanding and use of evidence-based practices. FPG’s dedication to both research and outreach is embodied in our motto: Advancing knowledge to transform children's lives.
About our Implementation Work
Using implementation science, best practices, and an equity lens, the Institute’s implementation work is active, applied, and facilitates improved outcomes for evidence-based practices. Our work is informed by research from the field of implementation as well as related fields, and projects use data to inform continuous improvement practices. Our capacity- building work is tailored and flexible to meet the needs of the communities we work in whether the work is statewide, within a governance structure, community-wide, or within a service delivery agency or school. FPG has three implementation workgroups—The Impact Center, the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN), and the Trohanis Technical Assistance Projects.
About the Internship Program
We are seeking two graduate students to join our summer internship program in 2025. The program is designed to create a challenging and meaningful professional experience for the trainee that includes mentoring, networking, professional development, and experiential learning opportunities. Interns will benefit from exposure to implementation practice and research across diverse fields and in varied practice settings. This experience will provide knowledge and skill development to enhance and inform the intern’s future academic and professional pursuits.
Qualified applicants should have some familiarity with implementation science principles and practices, but extensive background experience is not required. The intern should be available to start on or around May 19th and work approximately 6-8 weeks for 240 hours. Compensation is $25 per hour for master’s level students and $30 per hour for doctoral students. Remote and hybrid working arrangements are typically available.
Opportunities:
Implementation Support Practice Strategies - Identification of Best Practices to Address Willingness to Use Effective Implementation Approaches
Project Background
Since 2016, the Implementation Capacity for Triple P (ICTP) projects have been providing external implementation support to regional teams scaling up Triple P–Positive Parenting Program (Triple P); an evidence-based program shown to improve child welfare outcomes. The readiness of regional teams to use effective implementation approaches is a critical factor in the success of the support relationship. We are hoping to recruit one-two interns who would work together to review literature on effective strategies to influence the key components of behavior change indicated in the Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior and develop change-cycle job aids for implementation support practitioners to guide their support with regions.
The internship would include the following activities:
- Acquire a deep understanding of the components that influence behavior change outlined in the Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior and Integrated Behavior Model.
- Literature review to identify strategies that can be applied by implementation support practitioners to influence these components.
- Acquire a deep understanding of Plan/Do/Study/Act cycles and other improvement cycles.
- Develop change-cycle job aids that integrate identified strategies and outline PDSA activities for implementation support practitioners to use in their support with regional teams scaling up Triple P.
- Collaboration with the other summer intern on these activities.
The work is expected to lead to:
- At least 6 change-cycle job aids for use by the ICTP project in their readiness building support activities
- Knowledge and skill development around behavior change theories
- Knowledge and skill development around quality improvement cycles
Other learning and networking opportunities to complement main work
- Participation in FPG and Impact Center professional development seminars
- Mentoring, shadowing, and networking with implementation science professionals
Desired applicant experience and skills
- Experience working as part of a team, collaborating with others on research projects
- Experience, coursework and/or training in behavior change theories (especially TRA/TPB)
- Experience, coursework and/or training in quality improvement cycles (especially PDSA)
- Excellent writing and presentation skills
- Exposure to implementation science concepts, theories, and frameworks
- Ability to work well autonomously within a supportive mentoring environment
- Ability to work well both independently and within teaming environments
The intern would need to be available for 35-40 hours per week for 6-8 weeks (240 hours total). The mentor for this opportunity is Rebecca Roppolo of the ICTP Project, a part of the Impact Center at FPG. The intern will work in collaboration with other team members and community collaborators. The internship could be fully remote (mentor is fully remote) or hybrid if an intern prefers to come to FPG.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a graduate student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? No, graduate students from any accredited college or university are welcome to apply.
Do I need to have extensive implementation science experience? Applicants with introductory to moderate knowledge and experience of implementation science principles and practices are welcome to apply. A strong interest in learning more about implementation science is required.
What is the application deadline? Friday, March 14th at 11:59 pm ET.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
