UNIV - Research Program Coordinator I - Psychiatry: Addiction Sciences Division

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The coordinator will work with Drs. Squeglia and Gray on the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a large-scale longitudinal project examining child and adolescent health, behavior, and brain functioning. The coordinator will be responsible for the full range of professional duties associated with the ABCD protocol, including neuroimaging, neurocognitive assessments, and clinical interviews and self-report measures designed to assess eligibility criteria, psychopathology, medical health, social relationships, personality, and substance use. The coordinator will exercise independent judgment in managing day-to-day program operations, supervising and training research staff, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contributing to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of study procedures. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree and one year of relevant program experience.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in psychology, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Neuroscience, or a related field is preferred.
Prior research experience in a lab
Knowledge of REDCap data entry, management, reporting tools
Interviewing research participants
Conducting structured clinical interviews
Neuropsychological tests
Collecting biospecimens – including drawing blood and MRI assessments not required but valued.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Experience working with adolescents and emerging young adults (ages 9-20).
Excellent verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
Attention to detail and the ability to work independently and assure accuracy.
Must be able to work evenings and weekends, as these are the times children are typically available to participate in the study.

Responsibilities

Supervises, trains, and evaluates research staff in all research activities and lab standards, including assessments, biospecimen collection procedures, and data entry and management.
Exercises judgment in determining staff assignments and priorities.
Leads onboarding of new hires and organizes full staff trainings, including coordination of guest presentations.
Conducts quarterly Quality Checks in collaboration with the Program Manager and recommends procedural improvements as needed.
Coordinates and manages all participant communication and scheduling to support study retention and protocol adherence.
Oversees on-site visits, video conferencing assessments, and phone interviews.
Manages multiple scheduling systems and calendars.
Responds to inquiries through the ABCD phone and email systems, applying knowledge of study protocols to address participant questions.
Issues appointment reminders and proactively identifies retention opportunities.
Interprets participant concerns and directs to the Program Manager or appropriate resources, including community and social services.
Facilitates communication with Principal Investigators when clinical alerts arise, applying established protocols and professional judgment.
Administers and oversees clinical and neuropsychological assessments for child and parent participants, including mobile activity monitoring, environmental assessments, and evaluations of psychopathological symptoms, substance use, and social functioning.
Manages biospecimen collection and processing (e.g., blood, urine, saliva, hair, teeth) to assess hormone levels, neurotoxin exposure, and genetics.
Organize and coordinate biospecimen shipping and prepare reports for the Program Manager as needed.
Support functional and structural MRI sessions and data transfer, troubleshoot issues arising during clinical sessions and scanning, and develop alternative approaches.
Manages FIONA and E-Prime programs.
Ensures site data management and regulatory compliance, including accurate and timely annual reporting to the Coordinating Center and MUSC.
Interprets and applies data management policies and procedures to maintain study files and ensure compliance.
Responds to or delegates inquiries from DAIRC.
Co-leads coordination of annual site monitoring visits from the Coordinating Center, including preparation of required documentation.
Leads weekly team and Research Assistant meetings, applying knowledge of program operations to prepare agendas, document minutes, and distribute reports.
Prepares weekly metrics and progress reports and maintains effective communication between the ABCD Team, the ABCD Coordinating Center, and the Data Analysis and Informatics Center (DAIRC).
Manages petty cash onsite for research participant payments, including receipt organization, monthly reconciliation, and reimbursement submissions, in accordance with applicable institutional policies and procedures.