Research Study Coordinator Senior

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

Target hiring range for this position will be between be range is as be $23.20-$29.91 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:

The Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), directed by Dr. Laurie Wakschlag, conducts research at the intersection of clinical and developmental science that 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. The Research Study Coordinator Sr. will support the Northwestern site of 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 young children's brain and behavioral development.

The Research Study Coordinator Sr. will coordinate and oversee MRI visits for the Northwestern site of the HBCD Study. They will lead sessions collecting MRI data from infants and toddlers during natural sleep, and preschool-aged children during wake scans. This position will also coordinate the scheduling of MRI sessions, prepare children for scanning, set up equipment, run the MRI acquisition computer, monitor the child during the scan, and other activities as needed. Additionally, the coordinator will be in charge of training new HBCD study staff who will be working as MRI baby whisperers and will act as a liaison between the study and the MRI center (Center for Translational Imaging). Finally, they will assist the project manager in monitoring study performance, assist in development and implementation of new protocols and ensure that all processes, protocols, and procedures are functioning well.

This position requires an enthusiastic and committed individual with a strong attention to detail and clear scientific thinking. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn new assessment techniques and implement them with fidelity while maintaining rapport with children and families. The candidate is ideally flexible, proactive, and a highly collaborative team player. They must be comfort interacting with children and families from diverse backgrounds. Ability to learn multiple systems for collecting and tracking data is also required.

Availability for at least two years is strongly preferred. This position will mainly work in the research lab at 625 N Michigan Ave. Flexibility in hours, including evenings and weekends is required for research visits.

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

• Participates in the planning & conduct of research studies.
• Reviews project & protocol & recommends strategies to expedite study.
• Recruits & retains participants.
• Obtains informed consent.
• Administers tests &/or questionnaires following protocols.
• Collects, compiles, tabulates &/or process responses.
• Gathers information.
• Extracts & analyzes data from medical charts.
• Completes basic clinical procedures such as drawing blood & obtaining blood pressure.
• Monitors & maintains systems for effective participant and data flow for studies.
• Designs & constructs experimental stimuli.
• Performs physical function assessment.

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.
• Writes portions of grant applications.
• Co-authors scientific papers for presentation & publication.
• Researches & obtains funding.
• Creates & maintains study manuals regarding operating, safety, and 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

• May process 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:

• 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.

• Must be MRI safe to enter the MRI suite.

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

• Strong interest in developmentally-based neuroimaging assessments.

• Coursework in neuroscience OR experience with neuroimaging

• Research experience in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field

• Comfort and ability to interact professionally with young children and families from all backgrounds.

• High motivation and great attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Training and experience in developmentally-based neuroimaging assessments.

• Experience operating an MRI scanner and leading MRI acquisition sessions.

• Experience conducting MRI sessions with neonates, infants, toddlers, and/or children

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of or experience in working on a multi-site national consortium study.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, 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.