Research Coordinator

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

The Research Coordinator independently executes project-related functions for the Personality, Emotions, and Relationships Lab (PEARL), led by PI Lori Scott. PEARL conducts longitudinal research on risk and resilience related to suicide, self-harm, and personality disorders across the lifespan, as well as research on suicide risk in autistic adults in collaboration with departmental investigators. The primary responsibility is coordinating the DEAR study, an intensive longitudinal study of suicide risk factors in adults that uses clinical interviews, surveys, and ecological momentary assessment with ambulatory psychophysiology. This position is grant funded. The role coordinates participant recruitment and data collection, study documentation, regulatory and reporting requirements, data management, meetings, supplies, and study logistics. The coordinator works with clinicians and clinical teams across UPMC outpatient and inpatient services to develop recruitment procedures for patients with recent suicide attempts. The position follows applicable research policies, laws, and regulations, maintains scientific integrity and accurate data storage, and follows mandatory reporting procedures for incidents that affect or could affect patient care. Evening and weekend work may be needed based on study needs.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts degree, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
3–5 years of experience coordinating multiple aspects of research projects, including patient recruitment, assessment, treatment planning, and data collection.
Experience with individuals at risk for suicide.
Ability to accurately collect and store research data.
Microsoft Office and familiarity with computers and common software packages.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff, and investigators while maintaining patient confidentiality.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently once trained in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule based on study needs, including evenings and/or weekends as needed.
Ability to interact with patients or study participants and research and medical staff.
Knowledge of principles of growth and cognition across the lifespan and ability to assess and interpret information relevant to patients’ age-specific needs.
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance, with renewal.
Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance, with renewal.

Nice To Haves

IRB experience.
Experience with adolescents and/or adults with autism or other developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of administering the C-SSRS or other structured suicide risk assessments.
Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, particularly in inpatient settings.
Working knowledge of research methodology.
Prior supervisory and/or project management experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate participant and recruitment flow, appointments, and all aspects of data collection.
Screen and consent participants; administer tests; and pay and track participant payments.
Enter data and file participant paperwork.
Work with clinicians, clinical leaders, and UPMC outpatient and inpatient clinical teams to develop procedures for identifying and recruiting patients with recent suicide attempts.
Organize and attend weekly study meetings; prepare agendas and meeting minutes.
Organize and attend Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) meetings; prepare agendas and meeting minutes.
Assist with creating the DSMB charter and biannual DSMB reports.
Complete IRB modifications and renewals and communicate updates to the team.
Serve as the primary Office of Academic Computing (OAC) and Office of Data Management (ODM) contact; attend their meetings and provide necessary information.
Coordinate data pulls for investigators, trainees, and collaborators.
Create or coordinate development of a data dictionary with ODM and/or OAC, including version and change updates.
Develop and oversee a system for data audits, completing audits or supervising others who do so.
Review the notice of grant award and ensure study requirements are addressed.
Monitor publication-access compliance for DEAR publications and assist with submissions as needed.
Monitor and submit NIMH milestone reports.
Monitor deadlines and communicate with the team to help meet study targets.
Monitor data targets, including recent suicide-attempt representation, racial diversity, and sex distribution.
Coordinate and track repeat assessment data collection.
Track progress and obtain documentation for office of grants and contract paperwork requests, including yearly activations.
Complete Rigor & Reproducibility-related projects and the MOP; update and format each MOP version and maintain current documents in OneDrive.
Assist with preparing and organizing progress reports.
Order study supplies and equipment and coordinate ordering with the team in accordance with UPMC/Pitt procedures and policies.
Track decisions and ensure final documents are saved to OneDrive when decisions are made or files are revised.
Coordinate study logistics, such as parking for study visits.
Participate in weekly supervision.
Follow applicable research policies, procedures, laws, and regulations and maintain scientific integrity, including accurate data storage.
Follow mandatory reporting procedures for incidents or serious events that affected or could have affected patient care.
Perform other research-project duties as requested by investigators and perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and behaviors.
Work evenings and weekends when needed.