Res Project Coordinator WPIC | The Sleep, Affective Neuroscience, and Development (SAND) Lab

$47,674 - $79,477/Yr

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Pittsburgh, PA

Full-time - Entry Level

Pittsburgh, PA

Hospitals

About the position

The Sleep, Affective Neuroscience, and Development Lab (SAND Lab) at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is seeking a dedicated Research Project Coordinator to join our team. This full-time position is integral to overseeing research coordination in a laboratory focused on understanding the influence of sleep and circadian rhythms on brain development, behavioral performance, and mental health in young individuals, including children, adolescents, and young adults. The SAND Lab, led by Dr. Soehner, is engaged in NIH-funded projects that investigate age-related changes in sleep and their implications for future mental health risks. As a Research Project Coordinator, you will be responsible for the comprehensive management of two significant studies. This includes organizing daily activities and timelines for research protocols, supervising junior staff and undergraduate volunteers, and coordinating participant recruitment, tracking, and retention. You will also manage the scheduling of assessments and participant payments, ensuring that all processes run smoothly and efficiently. Your role will involve administering informed consent and assent, conducting screening interviews, and onboarding participants, which requires a high level of interpersonal skills and sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations. In addition to participant management, you will be tasked with preparing and modifying Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, maintaining Regulatory Binders, and developing Standard Operating Procedures. Effective communication with research, clinical, and administrative staff is crucial, as is partnering with administrators on purchasing and budget management. You will be expected to handle sensitive clinical and research data in compliance with University, State, and federal regulations, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to study participants throughout the process.

Responsibilities

• Organize daily activities and timelines for research study protocols.
• Supervise and manage schedules for junior staff and undergraduate volunteers.
• Coordinate participant recruitment, tracking, and retention.
• Manage scheduling of assessments and participant payments.
• Administer informed consent and assent.
• Conduct screening interviews and participant onboarding.
• Prepare and modify IRB protocols, Regulatory Binders, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Communicate effectively with relevant research, clinical, and administrative staff.
• Partner with administrators on purchasing and budget management.
• Demonstrate respect and sensitivity to study participants, interacting skillfully with adolescent, young adult, and clinical populations.
• Handle sensitive clinical and research data in compliance with University, State, and federal requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Business Administration or related area of study.
• Three years of relevant research and/or clinical experience is required.
• Two-year commitment is preferred.
• Previous experience with adolescents and/or families is preferred.
• Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
• Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
• Complete and pass on-line ethics and research practice training modules as required by the University of Pittsburgh and the National Institutes of Health.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with adolescents and families.
• Knowledge of research methodology.