Research Study Coordinator

Department: Med-ISGMH
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Job Summary:

Coordinates collection, analysis, processing & reporting of data & assists Principal and Co-Investigators (P/Co-Is) in social-behavioral research study(ies) of limited complexity. Completes all activities by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)

Project Description: Implementation Science to Enhance Models of Care for HIV/AIDS

Linkage, retention, and reengagement programs are critical strategies for facilitating and keeping people with HIV (PWH) in treatment, helping them achieve viral suppression, and ending the HIV epidemic in the US, but there are gaps in their implementation and reach. In collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local HIV service agencies, Northwestern investigators Dennis Li and Nanette Benbow lead a collection of related projects focused on improving care engagement for PWH:

Configurations of Linkage, Engagement, and Retention Strategies for HIV (CLEARS-HIV) aims to survey the landscape of care engagement activities happening in Chicago and identify empirically supported best practices that can be tailored and scaled out to different populations and contexts. Data collection is complete; we are focused on analyzing data and disseminating results.

Collaborative to Enhance Access for Suppression to End HIV (CEASE-HIV) aims to implement and evaluate an evidence-based model of low-barrier care (LBC) for PWH with complex needs across a network of CDPH-funded HIV clinical agencies. After facilitating adaptation and adoption of LBC among clinics through a learning collaborative, we will study LBC implementation and assess its impact on citywide care engagement and viral suppression rates. We are completing the learning collaborative phase and preparing for implementation.

Assessing a Centralized Care Engagement and Syndemics Strategy for HIV (ACCESS-HIV) focuses on the HIV Resource HUB, a CDPH-funded citywide service navigation program. This project aims to improve implementation and sustainability of the program in Chicago as well as identify strategies for scaling out the HUB to other jurisdictions.

Additional project(s) pending funding

Program Description: Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing

This subset of projects is housed within the Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH; http://www.isgmh.northwestern.edu), a university-wide institute dedicated to fostering research that improves the health and wellbeing of the sexual and gender minority communities. ISGMH currently has multiple NIH- and foundation-funded studies and actively collaborates with community-based organizations to conduct research and translate findings into interventions. It is directed by Dr. Brian Mustanski.

This is a term position ending on May 31st, 2026. Opportunity for renewal will be based on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Participates in the planning & conduct of research study including participant recruitment and retention.
• Obtains informed consent
• Administers tests &/or questionnaires following protocols.
• Collects, compiles, tabulates & processes responses.
• Gathers information.

Administration

• Collects, records, reviews & summarizes research data.
• Prepares reports for investigators and sponsors on recruitment status and other pertinent study data.
• Writes portions of grant applications & co-author scientific papers.

Finance

• May process payments for research participants per study protocol.
• Supervision
• May provide work direction &/or train other research staff to interview/test participants.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 2 years' research study or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong ability to prioritize tasks.
• Effective time management skills
• Efficient and resourceful in problem-solving.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to adhere to instructions/procedures.
• Good communication skills; demonstrated effective spoken and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of the work, possessing initiative, and good follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working in public health, implementation, and/or program evaluation research.
• Experience with qualitative research and/or interviewing.
• Experience supervising research assistants and interns.
• Experience with HIV/AIDS and related issues.
• Experience working with LGBTQ and/or marginalized populations.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Ability to write scientifically for dissemination of findings.
• Familiarity with data management software, including REDCap.
• Knowledge of LGBTQ issues.
• Knowledge of racial disparities in health and related issues.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $19.89 - 27.97 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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