Research Study Coordinator

Department: Med-DevSci
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Target hiring range for this position will be between be range is as be $19.89-$24.86 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

About the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences

Northwestern University's Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci) brings together the rich and diverse community of scholars at Northwestern focused on how early development shapes lifespan health and wellbeing. DevSci provides a scientific platform for transdisciplinary research and training bridging NU's biomedical and social sciences campuses. DevSci provides specialized infrastructure, resources, and training to over 150 faculty, students and staff from disciplines ranging from pediatrics, developmental psychopathology, prevention, developmental science, education, neuroscience, and population health. It also oversees the Neurodevelopmental Core at Northwestern University which enables the integration of state of the art developmentally-sensitive neuroimaging, physiologic and performance-based developmental assessment methods into diverse research programs.

Position Description

DevSci is seeking an individual with expertise in psychology, child development, health sciences or related fields. This is an hourly, full-time position for a person with research experience in early child health and development. The Research Study Coordinator will primarily support the national HEALthy Brain & Child Development Study (HBCD) (PIs Elizabeth Norton & Laurie Wakschlag, Scientific Project Director Renee Edwards). The HBCD study aims to examine the impact of prenatal substance exposure and other prenatal adversities and protective factors on infant brain and behavioral development. This individual will coordinate maternal and child biospecimen collection and processing, biosensor data collection, and physical assessments for this longitudinal study. Specific responsibilities will include developing comprehensive SOPs for assessment protocols, training research assistants on study procedures, tracking visits to ensure timely scheduling and completion, and communicating national leadership on biospecimen protocols and best practices. Ideally the coordinator will be phlebotomy certified and comfortable with maternal blood draws from diverse participants.

The Research Study Coordinator position requires a combination of both clinical expertise as well as strong administrative skills. The ability to work flexibly across multiple demands and balance administrative and research study visits is crucial. The position requires sensitive engagement with participants, colleagues, and external project constituents. The coordinator will assist the manager in monitoring study performance, assist in development and implementation of new protocols, and ensure that all processes, protocols and procedures are quality controlled and function up to standards.

We are looking for a team player who is willing to take initiative and learn a variety of responsibilities. The individual will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team and should be comfortable communicating with people from a variety of backgrounds including diverse children and families. Ability to think quickly and a capacity to proactively identify and solve problems are essential traits. Flexibility in hours is required, including evenings and weekends. Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback are essential. Strong written and spoken English skills are essential.

Please provide your resume and a cover letter that details your experience with working with children and families and any assessments you are familiar with.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Participates in the planning & conduct of research study including participant recruitment and retention.
• Obtains informed consent
• Administers tests &/or questionnaires following protocols.
• Collects, compiles, tabulates & processes responses.
• Gathers information.

Administration

• Collects, records, reviews & summarizes research data.
• Collates relevant mathematical results & prepares tables, charts & graphs reflecting relationships of multiple tests.
• Prepares reports for investigators and sponsors on recruitment status and other pertinent study data.
• Writes portions of grant applications & co-author scientific papers.
• Completes documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols.

Supervision

• May provide work direction &/or train other research staff to interview/test participants.
• May act as a mentor in regard to education of junior coordinators.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 2 years' research study or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete NU's CITI IRB training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.
• Prior research with or engagement of under-represented and or/high risk populations (e.g. substance use in the family context, children in under-resourced communities, children with developmental delays, prenatal or parenting women with mental illness)
• Infant and child experience, preferably in a research capacity

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills, in person and via phone/web/zoom
• Experience collecting biospecimens from human subjects
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and accurate data entry
• Training/knowledge in early child developmental
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working in a child development research lab
• Experience working with individuals with substance use

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Phlebotomy certification

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.