Research Coordinator / RA 3 (full or part-time)

Research Assistant 3 - NeuroFit

Schedule: Fully remote/hybrid/in-person, as desired. Part-time or full-time.

Supervision: Reports to Principal Investigators Drs. Charlotte Hagerman and Evan Forman.

Position Summary

Applicants are being sought for a full-time, remote Project Coordinator of the NIH R01-funded clinical trial, Project NeuroFit. The project is investigating the effectiveness of gamification and of neurotraining in engaging, motivating and effecting lifestyle modification to achieve healthy weight among men, given that men are dramatically underrepresented in health interventions. Detailed information about the project is published here.

The role includes overall coordination of all study elements; overseeing research assistants; implementing an advertisement/recruitment plan; refining and implementing the assessment protocol; scheduling and conducting participant screening and clinical assessments; managing data and databases; maintaining contact and approvals with NIH and IRB; collecting data with wearable sensors. The role also involves oversight of a custom-designed mobile app, and liaison with a professional video game design company. In addition, the role involves scheduled contact with participants to assist in their use of the app.

The position represents an excellent opportunity to gain experience in obesity/eating disorders clinical research and to be trained in both research and clinical tasks. This position provides excellent preparation for individuals who wish to pursue graduate study in clinical psychology or a related area. Opportunities also will be available, as desired, for grant application preparation, research diagnostic assessment training, additional data analysis, and preparation of poster presentations and/or manuscripts related to the projects. Coordinators also have the opportunity to be exposed to and, in many cases, involved in intervention delivery.

Examples of Duties

• Research Staff Management
• Works with scientists and other key managers to identify staffing needs and, if necessary, develops a staffing plan designed to provide personnel to carry out the research project within established time frames.
• Assists in the recruitment and hiring of research assistants and other staff to carry out activities on the research project.
• Trains and orients research staff under his/her supervision.
• Develops and coordinates work schedules to optimize efficiency in conducting research activities.
• Provides informal performance feedback on an ongoing basis, as well as formal performance evaluations.
• Recruitment of participants
• Refines recruitment strategies.
• Identifies organizations, traditional media, social media and web locations for recruitment targeting.
• Coordinates the implementation of the recruitment methods, including potentially with graphic designers and marketing experts.
• Develops project documentation and written materials, as needed
• Develops descriptions of research protocols, consent forms and other materials required for review by the Institutional Review Board.
• Participates in the development of data collection questionnaires and related communication materials directed to research subjects.
• May write training or instruction manuals or other intervention materials required by the project.
• Writes or assists in writing annual progress reports and other reports required by funding agencies.
• May assist in writing or editing research proposals or articles for publication
• Participant maintenance
• Meets with participants to orient them to the mobile app/intervention
• Oversees participant retention strategies
• Maintains ongoing contact with participants to promote retention in study
• Engages participants at risk for drop-out or who fail to show for assessment
• Hold regular meetings with participants to help them engage with the mobile app/intervention
• Data collection and storage
• Works with research scientists to establish the appropriate data collection methods required to gather relevant data.
• Consults with scientists and data analysts to determine the optimal data base structure to facilitate efficient analysis once the collection phase is complete.
• Coordinates the collection of data based on project goals.
• Coordinates data set up and entry through manual or technical means.
  
  

Budgetary management

• Participates in the development of project budgets for inclusion in research proposals.
• Adjusts budgets on funded projects as required to deal with agency budget cuts.
• Monitors spending and reconciles fiscal budget reports with project records to ensure prudent project spending.
• Adjusts budgets as unanticipated expenses come up and priorities change.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while following established protocols.
• Demonstrated reliability and professionalism in handling sensitive information.
• Flexibility to adjust work hours around participant scheduling needs.
• Commitment to ethical conduct and adherence to confidentiality and data security standards.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse people of racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds valued.
• Ability to remain calm, empathetic, and professional during sensitive conversations.
  
  

Experience And Training

• Bachelors degree, preferably in the social sciences, and 6 or more years of increasingly responsible experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skill and ability to perform the job.
• Supervisory experience in a research environment preferred.
• Experience with financial accounting systems and budgets preferred.
• Familiarity with research design, statistical analysis and advanced training and/or experience in research methods and related software preferred.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Work is primarily conducted remotely or in an office setting, with occasional travel for training or meetings. Must be able to sit for extended periods, view a computer monitor, and participate in video calls.

Please note that employment with Oregon Research Institute is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. This may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.