Research Coordinator

The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, led by Dr. Dawn Misra, seeks a Research Coordinator to manage a multi-site project focused on birth outcomes and neighborhood environments specific to Black families.

About the role

The LIFE-2 study aims to describe how maternal social environments measured across the life course impact risk of preterm birth and the epigenome of women at her own birth and during pregnancy. The study follows women from delivery through the postpartum year to identify potential risk factors.

This position requires on-site presence in metro Detroit at hospital partners to supervise and assist in recruitment and medical record abstraction.

Responsibilities

• Manage all Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and amendments for a multi-site research project.
• Oversee staff and students at Wayne State University, University of North Carolina, and the University of Michigan.
• Ensure the quality of data collected by field staff and implement protocols virtually and in clinics.
• Train and supervise research staff, including sole responsibility for staff training.
• Handle supply purchases and ensure compliance with IRB requirements, including writing applications and amendments.
• Prepare and execute data use agreements and material transfer agreements.
• Coordinate and manage daily research activities, providing lead program and administrative assistance for all aspects of the study.
• Write protocols, disseminate information and protocols among all study sites, and ensure protocols are followed.
• Manage research staff and students across multiple sites.
• Develop, create, and maintain complex surveys in Qualtrics survey software, including medical record abstraction instruments.
• Track expenses, develop and create recruitment materials, and lead various study meetings.
• Retrieve biospecimens and vital statistics data through linkage of informed consent information with the state of Michigan.
• Work closely with field staff and study site PIs to oversee, manage, and coordinate day-to-day activities of the research project.

Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that acquired through completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in Perinatal Health Studies.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible work experience in research methodologies, report writing, supervision, software, data interpretation, and handling.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Qualifications

• Work experience on perinatal health studies.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Experience working with large data sets.
• Experience recruiting vulnerable populations for research studies.
• Experience managing a team of staff and students.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Pro, and SPSS.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self-starter, quick learner, confident communicator, detail-oriented, and strong organizational skills.

Schedule

Standard 8 AM – 5 PM.

Health Risks

Study participants self-collect a blood spot that is dried and sealed prior to staff collection.