ECHO Research Associate 2

University of Miami•Coral Gables, FL

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Associate 2, GAB contributes to the University’s research activities under the supervision of senior staff. The incumbent understands, interprets, and complies with research policies and protocols. This role involves performing specialized and complex experiments, participating in the publication of significant research results, and advancing expertise through education, training, and research. The associate may also write extramural proposals to gain support. Key tasks include collecting, preparing, analyzing, dissecting, and evaluating specimens and tissue cultures, weighing and anesthetizing laboratory animals for experiments, operating sensitive and highly complex laboratory equipment, performing calculations for research test results, and photography and dark room processing. The role also requires participation in training sessions and workshops, and adherence to University and unit-level policies and procedures. Specifically for the department, the Research Associate 2 participates in recruitment of participants at various study sites including UHealth clinics, JHS clinics, and established community partners. They attend all weekly and monthly required Miami ECHO meetings with the Program Director and research team, reporting in a timely manner. The role conducts participant data collection appointments via home-visits or online, which may involve the collection of biospecimens such as saliva and blood. Reliable transportation is essential for traveling to various study sites and participants’ homes. Bilingual proficiency in English/Spanish or English/Creole is required. The incumbent is responsible for training new Research Associate I roles in participant recruitment, enrollment, laboratory sample processing (if applicable), data collection and entry, survey completion tracking, use of ECHO REDCap systems, and onboarding. They work closely with the program director on launching new recruitment sites and, if working in the lab, with the laboratory manager to monitor inventory, order supplies, track daily shipment of samples, and stay updated on sample collection protocols. The Research Associate 2 leads Research Associate I’s in clinic activities and participant follow-up, ensuring smooth study operations. They maintain relationships with clinic staff, independently problem-solve day-to-day situations, and handle administrative tasks such as study bank account reconciliation, participant payment accounting, assisting with new protocol implementation, and team scheduling.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience
Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements
Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands (Learning Agility)
Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment (Teamwork)
Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications (Technical Proficiency)
Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders (Communication)
Reliable transportation for traveling to various study sites and participants’ homes
Bilingual proficiency in either English/Spanish or English/Creole
Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships
Ability to uphold university values by treating study participants with the utmost respect
Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion, reliability, and integrity
Ability to work successfully both independently and on a team of fellow research associates

Nice To Haves

Phlebotomy preferred

Responsibilities

Performs specialized and complex experiments.
Participates in the publication of significant research results.
Advances expertise through education, training, and research.
Writes extramural proposals to gain support when appropriate.
Collects, prepares, analyzes, dissects, and evaluates specimens and tissue cultures.
Weighs and anesthetizes laboratory animals for experiments.
Operates sensitive and highly complex laboratory equipment.
Performs calculations to complete research test results.
Performs photography and dark room processing.
Participates in training sessions and workshops.
Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
Participates in recruitment of participants at various study sites including UHealth clinics, JHS clinics, and established community partners.
Attends all weekly and monthly required Miami ECHO meetings with the Program Director and research team, and reports to the Program Director in a timely manner.
Conducts participant data collection appointments via home-visits or online.
Trains new Research Associate I roles in participant recruitment and enrollment, laboratory sample processing (if applicable) data collection and entry, survey completion tracking, use of ECHO REDCap Central and local REDCap, and onboarding to ECHO systems.
Works closely with program director on launching new recruitment sites as needed.
If working in the lab, works closely with laboratory manager to monitor inventory, order supplies, track daily shipment of samples, and attends all meetings with the ECHO Lab Core to stay abreast of changes to sample collection protocols.
Leads Research Associate I’s in clinic activities and participant follow-up activities (survey tracking, scheduling visits, sending payments) and assures smooth operation of study in clinic and in ECHO study visit spaces.
Maintains relationship between study team and clinic staff by updating clinic staff with new procedures, hosting quarterly clinic staff meetings, and working with the nurse managers to schedule quarterly lunch or breakfast in clinic.
Independently problem solve day-to-day situations as they arise and communicate to program director as needed.
Responsible for study administrative tasks such as reconciliation of study bank account, accounting for participant payments, assisting the program director with new protocol implementation, and assisting with team scheduling.