Visiting Research Specialist-DOM: Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Visiting Research Specialist will develop, implement, and refine study procedures and operational workflows; monitor study progress and adapt procedures to meet evolving project needs. They will also serve as the primary liaison between community partner organizations and the research team, cultivating strong partnerships and ensuring effective communication throughout the study. The Visiting Research Specialist conduct literature reviews and support protocol development, measure selection, curriculum adaptation, translation of study materials, and other scientific activities, as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field required.
A minimum of 3 years related research experience.
Possesses and applies advanced knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices and methods.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
At least 3 years of experience coordinating or managing community-based health research studies, including NIH-funded or other federally funded research.
Demonstrated experience supervising research staff and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams.
Experience managing human subjects research, including participant recruitment, informed consent, regulatory compliance, and IRB requirements.
Experience developing and implementing study protocols, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance procedures.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet study milestones.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to travel to multiple work sites and comfort working in the community setting
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other related software

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in public health, social work, psychology, nursing, health sciences, implementation science, public health administration, or a related field.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Experience leading large, multi-site community-engaged or implementation research studies.
Experience managing research budgets, contracts, and subawards.
Familiarity with implementation science frameworks and hybrid effectiveness-implementation research.
Experience with NIH reporting requirements and grant management.
Experience coordinating intervention delivery, facilitator training, and fidelity monitoring.
Experience working with adolescents and families, particularly within Latino/Latina communities.
Proficiency in REDCap

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Principle Investigator and researchers to develop objectives and design of research projects and proposals.
Formulate and conduct research studies and analyses. Performs complex data collection and study methods. Analyze and evaluate research results.
Replicate, refine and add new research approaches based on project needs. Test, customize and implement new methods and procedures.
Develop and write advanced, comprehensive protocols.
Monitor project developments on an ongoing basis. Propose and implement changes as needed.
Contribute material, prepare results and assist in the writing of research findings for publications, papers, presentations, grants, and other documents for publication.
Assist principal investigator in grant and manuscript submission.
Guide, train and advise lower level researchers and students on techniques, methods and procedures.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Direct the day-to-day operations of the research study, ensuring successful implementation of study aims, adherence to the protocol, and achievement of project milestones.
Develop, implement, and refine study procedures and operational workflows; monitor study progress and adapt procedures to meet evolving project needs.
Lead weekly research team meetings and oversee study progress, including participant recruitment, enrollment, retention, engagement, randomization, intervention delivery, and data collection.
Serve as the primary liaison between community partner organizations and the research team, cultivating strong partnerships and ensuring effective communication throughout the study.
Oversee participant recruitment, screening, enrollment, informed consent, retention, and follow-up activities, including coordination with parents or guardians for minor participants.
Manage the participant randomization process and coordinate intervention delivery with community partners to ensure adherence to the study protocol.
Supervise research staff, students, volunteers, and intervention facilitators by providing training, mentorship, ongoing support, and performance feedback.
Lead facilitator training and quality assurance activities, including observation of intervention delivery and monitoring intervention fidelity.
Oversee study procedures related to biological specimen collection, STI testing, treatment coordination, and associated documentation, as applicable.
Develop, implement, and maintain study databases, data collection instruments, and research documentation, including REDCap databases and secure electronic file management systems.
Oversee quantitative and qualitative data collection activities and ensure data quality through monitoring, verification, and quality assurance procedures.
Conduct literature reviews and support protocol development, measure selection, curriculum adaptation, translation of study materials, and other scientific activities, as needed.
Prepare, submit, and maintain regulatory documentation, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, amendments, continuing reviews, reportable events, and sponsor reporting requirements, including ClinicalTrials.gov.
Coordinate project