Research Project Coordinator

Department: MED-Impact Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

Manages daily operations of a biomedical &/or social-behavioral research study involving multidisciplinary teams of colleagues, sponsors & other external project stakeholders. Monitors study performance, analyzes & review results, & supervises development & implementation of new protocols. Assigns work & supervises study staff & reviews technical operations ensuring that all processes, protocols & procedures are quality controlled & functioning up to standards. Develops implements & administers budgets, grant & administrative procedures. May co-author scientific papers for presentation & publication & coordinates writing, submission & administration of grants. Ensures that all study activities are completed by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

Position Responsibilities: The Interview Coordinator's primary activities will include coordinating and conducting study visits/interviews and managing study staff, working closely with the Biomedical Coordinator and Recruitment Coordinator under the supervision of the Project Director and study Faculty. The Interview Coordinator will ensure that participants progress through study visits in a timely and efficient manner. Specific activities include: setting up and implementing clinical guidelines and linkage to care protocols for participants who test HIV positive; providing HIV counseling, testing, and referral services; building relationships with social services and medical services for referrals; overseeing staff certifications and trainings related to conducting study assessments; conducting study assessments/interviews and health assessments; and ensuring training and ongoing support of study interviewers.

The Research Project Coordinator is expected to work in-person at study sites without a regular work from home schedule. The position will also require some evening hours (e.g., 11 AM - 7 PM) and weekend shifts to maximize retention efforts for study participants who are unavailable during the regular workday.

We are seeking a diverse pool of candidates. Candidates from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in research are encouraged to apply.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Leads execution & control of a biomedical &/or social science project or research study.
• Coordinates processing & analysis of data, conduct of experimental tests & procedures
• Develops new &/or revised research methodologies.
• Ensures completion of study activities per protocol including recruitment.
• Ascertains pretreatment & eligibility requirements.
• Obtains informed consent.
• Registers participant with appropriate sponsor.
• Interviews & obtains medical & social histories.
• Collects data from medical records.
• Administers, schedules &/or scores tests.

Administration

• Oversees & manages collection, maintenance, analysis & evaluation of data that will be used in grant submissions, presentations & publications.
• Ensures that information is entered correctly into databases.
• Assists faculty in reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, formatting, editing, & preparing tables, charts, graphs, progress & final reports, etc.
• Coordinates between sponsoring agencies, collaborating organizations &/or other research &/or educational institutions.
• Assists Project Director and Study Faculty/staff including Biomedical Coordinator and Recruitment Coordinator in reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, formatting, editing, & preparing reports on enrollment, progress of longitudinal visits, and final data reports, etc.
• Ensures that all study documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols are completed in a timely manner.

Finance

• Manages lab/study budget & inventory including purchasing of supplies & services ensuring that they are necessary, reasonable & project related.
• Orders & maintains inventory of study supplies.
• Distributes intra-departmental charges.
• Manages and distributes subject payments.
• Negotiates with vendors, obtain quotes & arrange for demos of large equipment.
• Supervision
• Trains, directs, assigns duties to & supervises 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 3 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 1 year research study or other relevant experience.

• Supervisory or project management experience required.

• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years

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

• Knowledge of HIV-related health and behavior, as well as resources for HIV-positive individuals in Chicago, Illinois, or through other community agencies.

• Strong project coordination skills and the ability to prioritize tasks.

• Effective time management skills.

• Efficient and resourceful in problem-solving.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to adhere to instructions/protocols/procedures.

• Good communication skills; demonstrated effective spoken and written communication.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of the work, possessing initiative, and good follow-through.

• Knowledge of basic computer skills, familiarity with Windows environment.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working with LGBT youth.

• Certification in HIV testing and counseling in Illinois.

• Phlebotomy certification.

• Experience working in non-profit, community-based settings.

• Experience working directly with HIV+ individuals and writing and implementing clinical guidelines for linkage to care protocols for participants who test HIV positive.

• Experience working in public health, psychology, and/or medical research.

• Experience working in non-profit, community-based settings.

• Experience recruiting and tracking study participants or experience with youth development and community outreach.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of Chicago communities, neighborhoods, and city-wide resources.

• Knowledge of sexual behavior, sexuality, and HIV risk among young men who have sex with men.

• Ability to create and write protocol-specific data collection SOPs, or data collection manuals, as well as training materials for research assistants, interns and staff.

• Ability to work in a team environment.

Target hiring range for this position will be up to $55,000.00 per year. 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.

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.

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