Clinical Research Coordinator – Cognition, Affect and Temperament Laboratory

This position is funded for 1 year; continuation past 1 year will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

About the role

The Cognition, Affect, and Temperament Laboratory, in the College of the Liberal Arts and headed by Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar, is seeking a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator to work on the longitudinal NIDA-funded HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study. This study focuses on pregnant people and their children in the areas of neurodevelopment, behavior, learning, environmental factors, substance exposure, and cognitive functioning. The lab incorporates techniques including EEG, MRI, developmental assessments, direct behavioral observations, biospecimen collections, and questionnaires. The work leverages University resources such as the Child Study Center and the Social, Life, and Engineering Sciences and Imaging (SLEIC) Center. This is a two-site study in collaboration with Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska at Penn State’s College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania, offering cross-site virtual training opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Clinical Research Coordinator Supervisor with hiring, onboarding, and training new research staff in study protocols and lab standards.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members, conduct quality assurance checks, and assist with team meetings.
• Manage site data and report to the HBCD administrative and data coordinating center; maintain site compliance with research protocols.
• Administer clinical assessments, neuropsychological testing, and other sensitive assessments (e.g., related to substance use and environmental factors).
• Refer participants to community resources and social services.
• Assist with data collection and transfer; troubleshoot issues in the research setting, including MRI scanning.
• Proactively identify and coordinate opportunities for participant retention and communication.
• Liaise with the grants office to ensure budget compliance, financial forecasting, and visit projections to sustain funding over the grant lifecycle.
• Partner with the Penn State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Single IRB (sIRB) to maintain protocol compliance, ensure current consent documentation, and monitor required personnel training and certifications.

Note: This position requires a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends, to accommodate participating families.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate well with others.
• Willingness to learn and develop computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other programs).

The following are strongly preferred:

• Experience in a lab conducting behavioral coding, neuroimaging, or eye-tracking studies.
• Professional experience working with infants or children.
• A degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Human Development and Family Studies, Social Work, or a related field.

Required clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans.
• Substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, and sick time).
• 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $54,060.00 – $78,444.00.