Research Study Coordinator Sr

Department: Med-DevSci
Salary/Grade: NEX/13

Target hiring range for this position will be between be Salary range is as be $21.55-$26.34 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:

Position Description

The Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci) at Northwestern is seeking an individual with expertise in child psychology (or related fields) and experience with study coordination. The Research Study Coordinator Senior 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 assessments for this longitudinal study and will conduct direct child and family assessments, including infant/child behavioral and cognitive standardized assessments, mother-child interaction protocols, and mother and family interviews. Additionally, this individual will assist with child MRI scans to ensure the comfort and safety of families. 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 conducting fidelity checks on completed assessments.

The Research Study Coordinator Senior position requires a combination of both clinical expertise as well as strong administrative and organizational skills and is best suited for a highly motivated individual. 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 investigators, research staff, and diverse child and parent participants. 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, and may include off-site activities. Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback are essential. Strong written and spoken English skills are essential. The coordinator will report to the Scientific Project Director and work closely with the rest of the research and investigative team.

About the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences

This position is based at 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, scientific exchange opportunities and training to over 300 faculty, students and staff from disciplines ranging from pediatrics, developmental psychopathology, prevention, developmental science, education, neuroscience, and population health. It also oversees the Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Training Core at Northwestern University which enables the integration of state of the art developmentally-sensitive neuroimaging, physiologic and performance-based developmental assessment methods into multi-faceted research programs.

Developmental Mechanisms Program

The Developmental Mechanisms program, directed by Dr. Laurie Wakschlag, conducts research at the intersection of developmental and clinical science, spanning the prenatal period through early childhood. The DevMech program of research aims to characterize early developmental patterns marking emergent mental health and other neurodevelopmental risk as well as prenatal influences on these pathways, and application to prevention. Multiple state-of-the-art, developmentally sensitive methods are used, including EEG and MRI, as well as developmentally sensitive behavioral, cognitive and family assessments and assessments of the social ecology.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Participates in the planning & conduct of research studies.
• Reviews project & protocol & recommends strategies to expedite study.
• Obtains informed consent.
• Administers tests &/or questionnaires following protocols
• Collects, compiles, tabulates &/or processes responses.
• Gathers information.
• Monitors & maintains systems for effective participant and data flow for studies.

Administration

• Manages study databases which may include ensuring that data is collected & entered correctly.
• Reviews & analyzes data.
• Creates computer models, graphs, reports & summaries for use in publications, professional journals, & grant applications.
• Creates & maintains study manuals regarding operating, safety, etc. procedures.
• Ensures that all study documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols are completed in a timely manner.

Finance

• Processes payments for research participants per study protocol.
• Creates lab financial plan & budget/audit expenses.
• Obtains sales quotes for lab equipment & supplies.
• Reviews & adjusts expenses to decrease costs.
• Oversees repair & maintenance of all lab equipment & ensures that lab supplies are ready & available when necessary.
• Administers budget including negotiating with grant sponsors.
• Maintains & reconciles expenditures & balances in regard to research accounts & budgets.

Supervision

• Trains, directs, assigns duties to & may supervise research staff, students, residents &/or fellows.
• Acts 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 4 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 and 2 years' research study or other relevant experience.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI 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.)

• Experience working with infants and young children administering standardized developmental assessments
• Ability to work in a team-based environment.

Knowledge of IRB procedures

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working in a psychological research lab is preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with substance use

Experience with infant and child MRI

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge in child development is preferred.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with REDcap or similar

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.