Research Coordinator I

Research Coordinator I

The position is grant-supported within the University of Southern California Center for Personalized Brain Health (CPBH), an interdisciplinary research center within the Keck School of Medicine dedicated to advancing precision medicine approaches to brain health and neurodegenerative disease prevention. CPBH brings together expertise in neurology, genetics, imaging, biomarker discovery, and clinical trials to identify individuals at elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease and develop targeted interventions to slow or prevent disease progression.

CPBH investigators lead federally funded clinical trials and longitudinal cohort studies focused on mechanisms of brain inflammation, lipid metabolism, and genetic risk factors such as APOE 4, a major contributor to Alzheimer's disease susceptibility. The Center maintains an active clinical research infrastructure, including prevention clinics, participant registries, enabling the rapid translation of emerging therapeutics and personalized interventions into real-world clinical settings. Through close collaboration with partner institutes including the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, and Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute, CPBH plays a central role in advancing early detection, prevention, and treatment strategies for neurodegenerative disease.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as clinical sciences, psychology, public health, biological sciences, or related discipline.

• At least 1-2 years of experience supporting clinical research studies, including participant recruitment, scheduling, data collection, or regulatory support (education may substitute for experience where appropriate).

• Knowledge of clinical research procedures and ability to follow research protocols and standard operating procedures.

• Familiarity with medical terminology and clinical research environments.

• Experience working with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems, databases, or clinical research software preferred.

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn federal, state, and institutional research regulations.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with study participants and multidisciplinary teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Ability to work independently under supervision and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting clinical research in a university, hospital, or academic medical center environment.

• Experience working directly with human research participants in clinical or behavioral research studies.

• Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) certification or eligibility to obtain certification.

• Background in neuroscience, addiction science, behavioral health, or related clinical research fields.

• Phlebotomy certification or willingness to obtain certification is preferred but not required.

Job Accountabilities

The Research Coordinator I will support clinical research studies conducted in a clinical and laboratory setting, working under the direction of the Principal Investigator and senior research staff. The coordinator will assist with participant recruitment, screening, enrollment, scheduling, and follow-up activities in accordance with approved study protocols and regulatory requirements. The individual will obtain informed consent, conduct structured interviews, administer questionnaires, and assist with collection and processing of clinical and research data.

The coordinator will maintain accurate and timely study records, enter data into Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems to ensure completeness and integrity of source documentation. Responsibilities include assisting with Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, maintaining regulatory binders, and supporting compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

The Research Coordinator I will work closely with investigators, clinicians, and multidisciplinary research teams to support day-to-day study operations, including scheduling participant visits, preparing study materials, and ensuring adherence to study procedures. The coordinator will assist with tracking recruitment progress, maintaining participant engagement, and supporting retention efforts. Additional responsibilities include assisting with general laboratory and research coordination activities, organizing study documentation, and contributing to a collaborative clinical research environment.

This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced clinical research setting. The position involves frequent computer use, written documentation, communication with research participants, and handling confidential and protected health information in accordance with institutional policies and regulatory standards.

Follows established USC and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.

This position is hybrid and employee must report to work at the USC Health Science Campus in Los Angeles, CA when scheduled. Work hours and on-site days may be subject to change depending on business needs.

The hourly rate range for this position is $32.01 - $33. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.