Sr. Research Associate 1

Core Job Summary

The Sr. Research Associate 1, SOM (A) provides laboratory-based support for the University’s research activities by tackling the more specialized and complex projects and experiments. Additionally, the incumbent leverages expertise in training and mentoring department staff, students, and less experienced research associates.

Core Job Functions

• Collects, analyzes, and presents research data.
• Maintains and updates relevant research databases to ensure accurate data entries.
• Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures.
• Publishes significant results, including authorship of scientific monographs.
• Achieves expertise through continued education, training, and research.
• Maintains current knowledge of relevant developments in the field.
• Safeguards all research according to good research practices.
• Safeguards compliance with applicable guidelines and regulations.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree in relevant field.
• Experience: No experience required.
• Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes: Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems. Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

Department Specific Functions

• Serves as study lead on multiple research projects, coordinating all aspects of protocol implementation from start-up to closeout.
• Works closely with Principal Investigators to develop and refine study protocols, data collection instruments, recruitment plans, and timelines.
• Oversees research activities across multiple sites, ensuring protocol fidelity, participant safety, and data quality.
• Acts as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators, sponsors, and regulatory offices.
• Mentorship & Supervision:
  • Provides direct supervision, guidance, and mentorship to junior research staff, including Research Associate 1 and 2 and Research Support Specialist team members.
  • Trains staff on research ethics, study procedures, data collection tools, regulatory compliance, and community engagement strategies for studies they are leading.
  • Conducts periodic performance assessments and supports the professional development of team members.
  • Ensures consistency and standardization of study implementation across the team.

Key Responsibilities

Study Leadership & Oversight

• Serves as study lead on multiple research projects, coordinating all aspects of protocol implementation from start-up to closeout.
• Works closely with Principal Investigators to develop and refine study protocols, data collection instruments, recruitment plans, and timelines.
• Oversees research activities across multiple sites, ensuring protocol fidelity, participant safety, and data quality.
• Acts as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators, sponsors, and regulatory offices.

Mentorship & Supervision

• Provides direct supervision, guidance, and mentorship to junior research staff, including Research Associate 1 and 2 and Research Support Specialist team members.
• Trains staff on research ethics, study procedures, data collection tools, regulatory compliance, and community engagement strategies for studies they are leading.
• Conducts periodic performance assessments and supports the professional development of team members.
• Ensures consistency and standardization of study implementation across the team.

Participant Recruitment & Engagement

• Develops and oversees recruitment strategies tailored to specific study populations, with a focus on underserved and diverse communities.
• Conducts informed consent discussions and ensures all team members follow ethical, culturally competent practices.
• Conducts focus groups, semi-structured interviews, collects s

Regulatory & Compliance Management

• Oversees the preparation and submission of IRB-related documents, including continuing reviews, amendments, adverse event reports, and protocol deviations.
• Ensures research compliance with all institutional, federal, and sponsor regulations including IRB, HIPAA, HSRO, DSMC, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Maintains detailed documentation and ensures all regulatory binders, consent forms, and sponsor correspondences are complete and audit-ready.

Data Oversight & Reporting

• Leads data management efforts including database design, quality control, integrity monitoring and qualitative analysis.
• Conducts qualitative data analysis using NVivo or rapid analysis techniques, or coordinates with analysts/statisticians as needed for project reporting.
• Oversees timely entry and maintenance of participant records in electronic systems such as REDCap, VELOS, EPIC, Cerner or Ripple Science.
• Prepares enrollment summaries, interim reports, and final project deliverables for internal use and external reporting to sponsors or funders.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Manages study budgets, monitors expenditures, and coordinates with managers on billing and grant-related reporting.
• Schedules and leads team meetings; prepares agendas, takes detailed meeting minutes, and ensures follow-up on action items.
• Orders and monitors study-related supplies and materials across multiple sites.
• If certified/trained in phlebotomy, performs venipuncture and collects biological specimens in accordance with study protocols.
• Collections, processes, packs, and ships specimens (blood, saliva, urine, fecal, etc.) according to protocol, applicable standards and regulations, and coordinates with appropriate laboratories for drop off and storage.
• Adapts to dynamic project needs, including travel to research sites and occasional evening/weekend work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing research protocols and supervising research teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; professional and culturally competent demeanor.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, experience with REDCap, electronic health record systems (EPIC/Cerner), and qualitative data analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of IRB procedures, federal regulations governing human subjects research, and data privacy standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, social work, psychology, or related field.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole.
• Experience working with underserved communities or conducting health disparities research.
• Phlebotomy certification or experience collecting biological samples is a plus.
• Experience with qualitative data analysis using NVivo or rapid analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record abstraction.