Visiting Research Specialist -DOM: Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Posting Close Date: 8/14/2026

About the Role

The Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science (CDIS) within the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is seeking a Visiting Research Specialist to direct the operations of our research team. Our activity is currently centered primarily on an NIH-funded hybrid effectiveness-implementation clinical trial, collaborating with community stakeholders to adapt, implement, and evaluate a physical activity and health education program for older women with HIV. This includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the intervention built with and for older women with HIV in Chicago Cook County (R01 MD021005-01).

The Visiting Research Specialist will play critical roles in supporting the research team by directing the research project, managing project operations and personnel, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and institutional guidelines. They will manage the project timeline, proactively anticipating project needs and closely overseeing the study team to ensure deadlines are met.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Principal Investigator and researchers to develop objectives and design of research projects and proposals.
• Formulate and conduct research studies and analyses; perform complex data collection and study methods.
• Analyze and evaluate research results; replicate, refine, and add new research approaches based on project needs.
• Test, customize, and implement new methods and procedures.
• Develop and write advanced, comprehensive protocols.
• Monitor project developments on an ongoing basis; propose and implement changes as needed.
• Contribute material, prepare results, and assist in writing research findings for publications, papers, presentations, grants, and other documents for publication.
• Assist Principal Investigator in grant and manuscript submission.
• Guide, train, and advise lower-level researchers and students on techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Manage project timeline, proactively anticipating project needs and closely overseeing the study team to ensure deadlines are met.
• Develop, implement, and enforce administrative and operational policies and procedures.
• Plan and supervise daily administrative and research activities.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and national regulations, including serving as the primary liaison with the institutional review board (IRB) and relevant funders.
• Serve as the primary liaison with academic, professional, and community partners (e.g., co-investigators, vendors, community recruitment sites).
• Recruit, hire, train, and provide ongoing supervision to research assistant(s).
• Oversee participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention.
• Lead weekly project meetings with research assistant staff.
• Support meetings with external and regulatory collaborators, such as Combined Community Advisory Board (CCAB) and Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) meetings.
• Keep clear records of all meetings, decisions, and action items; proactively assign action items with clear deadlines and monitor progress.
• Develop project budgets with the PI and actively implement and oversee these budgets.
• Support the professional development of research personnel by providing training and mentorship as appropriate.
• Assist with preparation of grant applications, peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific and community presentations, and reports for scientific and community partners.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field required; Master’s degree in social science preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of related research experience.
• Possesses and applies advanced knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices, and methods.
• Strong ability to manage teams, including enforcing administrative and operational policies and procedures in accordance with project needs and deadlines.
• Strong professionalism and ability to foster professional communication among staff.
• Knowledge of research protocols, principles, and procedures; clinical trials and experimental design; and ethics and regulatory procedures (e.g., IRB applications, data safety and monitoring plans).

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong computer skills, with REDCap experience preferred.
• Knowledge of physical activity and health education interventions, research with vulnerable populations (e.g., older adults, persons living with HIV), and/or community/public health is helpful but not required.

Benefits

This position is eligible for benefits, including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

Pay

The budgeted salary range for the position is $65,000 to $75,000.