Research Coordinator: School & Procurement Analysis (0.5 FTE)

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with PI/co-PIs to plan and design school-focused implementation activities aligned with project goals.
• Develop protocols and timelines for stakeholder engagement and data collection and analysis.
• Serve as primary liaison to school food stakeholders (e.g., OSPI, WSDA Farm to School, and others) to (a) schedule and facilitate meetings and data collection efforts and (b) coordinate and track school efforts to integrate whole grains/legumes.
• Work with the team to coordinate sourcing of whole grains/legumes with local farmers/processors and assess how these align with school menu cycles and procurement requirements.
• Draft and submit IRB materials; maintain compliance, renewals, and modifications for any human-subjects activities with school personnel.
• Manage project calendars, action items, secure file sharing, and stakeholder communications; prepare graphics for stakeholder audiences.
• Collect implementation data with schools based on study protocols, including (a) scoping review data, (b) school procurement policy, budget, and menu planning data (c) in-depth interviews and journey mapping.
• Analyze implementation data, including (a) scoping review data, (b) school procurement policy, budget and menu data and (c) qualitative data from in-depth interviews and journey mapping with school personnel.
• Contribute to progress reports, deliverables, and toolkits for school implementation; co-author manuscripts and practice briefs.
• Assist with planning and logistics for the 5-week study away program (in ~June every summer for three summers), including scheduling site visits, coordinating with farmers, processors, and school districts, and helping develop educational materials and activities for students, ensuring integration of research insights (e.g., producer/processor/school insights and experiences, value chain mapping, journey maps).
• Direct or co-direct the study away program, which may include being on-site with students.
• Track deliverables to funders and partners; support budget monitoring and subaward communications and coordination related to school implementation activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Systems, Public Health, Nutrition, Implementation Science, Agricultural/Environmental Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience with research methods such as evidence syntheses, implementation research, or qualitative research.
• Experience with stakeholder-engaged and interdisciplinary research (e.g., coordinating school-based or community food systems programs).
• Familiarity with human subjects research and IRB procedures; strong project management and communication skills.
• Graduate degree (MPH/MS/MA) or PhD in Food Systems, Public Health, Nutrition, Implementation Science, Agricultural/Environmental Sciences, or related field.
• Experience working with school food (e.g., knowledge of school food procurement standards and budget constraints, experience with OSPI/WSDA Farm to School or district food service).
• Experience with stakeholder-engaged and interdisciplinary research.
• Proficiency with mixed-methods and implementation science research methods such as evidence synthesis (e.g., scoping reviews), policy analysis, budget analysis, and qualitative research (e.g., in-depth interviews, user journey mapping).
• Experience with scientific writing (including peer-reviewed publications) and writing for public audiences.
• Proficiency with research software including Zoom, Qualtrics/REDCap, Dedoose, and data visualization software.