Research Project Coordinator

Department: Med-DevSci
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

The target hiring range for this position will be between $52,000-$63,000 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.

Job Summary:

Drs. Laurie Wakschlag and J.D. Smith are seeking a full-time Research Project Coordinator who will be responsible for assisting with several aspects of a new NIMH-funded center for mental health at Northwestern University, Mental Health, Earlier. The Center will use a community-engaged equity-oriented framework to integrate toddler mental health screening into routine pediatric care in partnership with a network of health centers. Its multi-components include a data and administrative core (Engage-Admin) and four projects including screening/prevention, clinician training, brief empowerment interventions and examination of the impact of the intervention on the health system. The project coordinator will work closely with the Center Executive Director as well as Drs. Wakschlag and Smith to help coordinate activities of the Engage-Admin core as well as help facilitate the development of the signature project at the center. The signature project will optimize the implementation of Developmental Early Childhood Instrument for Deciding Equitably for Mental Health, a predictive analytic decision tool linked to the Family Check-Up parenting program. For the signature project, the project coordinator will help ensure the seamless flow of research processes including IRB management and oversight of key data collection processes. The project coordinator will liaise with the data manager as needed. For the Engage-Admin core, the project coordinator will assist with the development and facilitation of meetings for two community groups, (1) clinician collaborative and (2) caregiver collaborative. The Project Coordinator will also assist the center's Executive Director in project management across all research projects and with additional administrative tasks as needed.

The Project Coordinator must have impeccable organization, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills and an exceptional ability to connect with diverse individuals in a variety of settings. They must be able to work independently and exhibit good judgement in decision-making and when to seek feedback. They must also exhibit strong experience and skills related to communicating with and recruiting families with young children and with community clinicians. Experience managing multi-site and/or large-scale federally funded projects is strongly preferred. All applicants must be able to demonstrate familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and web-based applications.

Please note: Supervisor provides objectives, deadlines and specific instructions only for new, difficult, and/or unusual work. Work is reviewed upon completion and only occasionally to verify technical accuracy and compliance with practice, policy, and procedures. EE informs supervisor of on-going progress and/or potentially controversial matters.

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 PI 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.
• 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.
• 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:

• 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.)

• Strong organizational, written, verbal, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, database, web-based applications, and eIRB.
• Experience communicating with diverse community organizations and entities.
• Research project management experience.
• Experience engaging with health system leadership and clinicians/staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in health or related research and/or practice fields.
• Experience managing large-scale and/or multi-site federally-funded projects (NIH, AHRQ, PCORI, CDC) is strongly preferred.
• Experience contributing to research dissemination (scientific presentations and presentations to community constituents/partners, reports/white papers, manuscripts).

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Working knowledge of project management systems.
• Working knowledge of statistical software(s).
• Knowledgeable and skill in orchestrating federal grant reporting requirements (e.g., annual progress reports/RPPRs)

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.

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