Rsch Pro 1-Research Coordinator

This position supports research conducted at the Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies (CNS) Lab at the University of Minnesota. The CNS lab is a multiple PI-led research lab with a significant grant funding portfolio across multiple departments (Pediatrics, ICD) housed at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Drs. Meghan Swanson and Jed Elison are co-Directors, and Casey Burrows is the Director of Clinical Training. The lab focuses on understanding brain and behavioral development of infants and young children. More specifically, our research examines the critical period of brain development in the first two years of life, which represents a time interval of dynamic development, plasticity, and potential vulnerability. Our research participants include typically developing children as well as children with agenesis of the corpus callosum, congenital cytomegalovirus infection, Down syndrome, and autism.

We are hiring up to two research coordinators with laboratory/clinical research and early childhood experience to assist with this research project. Responsibilities for these research coordinator positions include research study coordination, participant recruitment, consent, and data acquisition, training and supervision, and laboratory support. We are seeking candidates with knowledge of child development theory and research who have sufficient experience to ethically recruit, acquire informed consent, schedule appointments, conduct assessments (e.g., semi-structured parent interviews, behavioral testing with children), and acquire MRI data (learn to safely operate the scanner console) with child participants. This position will also perform quality control / quality assurance procedures on behavioral and MRI data, purchase materials as needed, supervise undergraduate research assistants, enter and manage data. There is the option to participate in generating scientific products (e.g., professional presentations, empirical publications).

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), prefers a minimum 2-year commitment, and will continue upon availability of funds and performance. Work will primarily be conducted in person at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, engaging directly with families, participants, and a large team of staff members. Some tasks may be completed remotely when applicable. This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and training in developmental and behavioral assessment and brain imaging with MRI within a collaborative research environment.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Your application will not be considered until all components are complete. Review of applications is ongoing, and the position(s) will remain open until the posting is removed. The target start date for this position is June 1, 2026. This research coordinator position will report directly to Shanna Mliner, Program Director.

Job Responsibilities
Research Study Coordination (40%)

• Responsible for research coordination of the research study from conception to completion, assisting the managers, director, and PIs to ensure timely progress and high-quality outcomes
• Adhere to the established research protocol and study procedures
• Coordinate the day-to-day research operations
• Communicate problems and assist in identifying solutions to fulfill research objectives
• Provide regular recruitment/enrollment reports
• Assist with storage and management of study data
• Acquire front-end functional familiarity with LORIS database, including tasks such as entering data, performing queries, examining quality control metrics, and extracting data for analyses
• Perform preliminary data analyses using statistics software (Excel, SPSS, R, SAS)

Participant Recruitment/Scheduling/Consent/Data Acquisition (40%)

• Complete trainings to ethically recruit and acquire informed consent from participants
• Schedule assessment and MRI scan research appointments with participants
• Reliably administer participant assessments (e.g., structured parent interviews, behavioral, neurocognitive, language, developmental testing with children)
• Learn the CNS Lab developmental neuroimaging standard operating procedures
• Complete Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) safety training to be able to operate the 3T & 7T scanner consoles
• Assist with the collection of MRI data, which will require occasional night (7-11pm) or weekend daytime session hours
• Adhere to all approved ethics and protocol procedures relating to participant privacy/confidentiality and data integrity

Training and Supervision (10%)

• Supervise, train, and direct work of undergraduate research assistants

Laboratory Support & Professional Development (10%)

• Attend lab and/or project meetings
• Support the broader lab team as needed
• Assist with purchasing study materials and comply with purchasing procedures/documentation
• Manage organization and inventorying of study supplies and equipment upkeep
• Participate in the broader intellectual environment to augment professional development
• Option to contribute to and generate scientific products (e.g., professional presentations, empirical publications)

All required qualifications must be documented on resume/CV

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least four years
• At least one year of experience as a research assistant or related position
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities
• Proficiency with computer software on PC or Mac (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
• Strong written and spoken language skills
• Demonstrable experience and expertise working with young children and their families
• Demonstrable interest in learning about MRI, its application to brain development, and functional communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience working with children and families
• Previous experience coordinating recruitment and data collection in longitudinal child development research
• Experience in training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
• Prior experience collecting MRI data
• Ability to plan, problem-solve, and set goals while managing multiple tasks on a daily basis
• Skillful with technology, assessments, statistical analysis, and document creation on iPad/Mac/PC (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, SPSS, R, SAS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, email, online calendar, video conferencing tools)
• Ability to communicate in multiple languages

Pay Range: $51,000 - $56,000/year depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

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Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.
The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students' education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.