Clinical Research Coordinator

Penn State University; United States; Remote; USD 56,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Healthy Brain and Child Development study. This role involves managing research projects, overseeing data collection, and working closely with families affected by substance use. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's Degree and experience in human subjects research, with excellent organizational and communication skills.

Benefits

75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Robust retirement plans

Paid time off including holidays and vacation

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in human subjects research.
• Experience with data and bio-sample collection.
• Familiarity with child welfare and community resources.

Responsibilities

• Manage research data and oversee daily project operations.
• Conduct onsite research activities including neuroimaging and child development assessments.
• Supervise recruitment and onboarding of study staff and volunteers.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Cultural competency

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

REDCap

LORIS

Ripple

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

This position is funded for 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State College of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine (FCM) is seeking an experienced professional to join our FCM research team as a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study, a longitudinal birth cohort involving pregnant women, children, and their families. Funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative , researchers will assess child development (from birth to 10 years old) and the impact of biologic, social, and environmental factors, including substance use (e.g., opioids, cannabis, alcohol, tobacco) and transitions in care.

The CRC will work closely with the FCM’s Vice Chair of Research, Aleksandra Zgierska, MD, PhD, and Debbie Firestine, Research Operations Manager as an integral member of a research team dedicated to advancing health outcomes.

The FCM’s mission is to conduct impactful primary care research and educational outreach and disseminate evidence to bridge the gap between scientific advances and their applications to health.

Ideal candidates will have experience in conducting human subjects research and a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a health or social services research-related field. They should have proficient ability with the following tasks and skills:

• Able to juggle multiple tasks and priorities in a professional manner.
• Work with pregnant and postnatal people, infants, children and families affected by substance use, trauma, or mental health concerns.
• Manage research data and protocols across a variety of study designs and research methodologies.
• Oversee daily project operations (budgets, timelines, standard operating procedures, project reporting), and relationships with internal departments and external entities supporting project implementation, coordinate with internal and external entities to establish contracts and agreements, expand and strengthen community relationships to support recruitment and retention and participant population access to community resources
• Knowledge of child welfare, transitions in care, community and mental health resources
• Oversee hiring, training, and management of study staff, delegate project responsibilities, and review completed work.
• Work independently to plan, develop and maintain study procedures, equipment, and policies that have an impact in all facets of research. This includes but is not limited to participant recruitment, consenting, scheduling, and coordination of visits, study materials/equipment preparation, and monitoring of the fidelity of intervention delivery. Coordinate, develop and monitor safety standards and protocol for children, families, and staff to engage in research activities.
• Supervise and coordinate recruitment and onboarding of student volunteers and interns.
• Conduct onsite research activities for neuroimaging, MRI scans, EEG testing, child development and social determinants of health. Able to bend, lift up to 20lbs
• Complete required trainings and maintain certifications to support standardized measures and continuity of longitudinal study visits.
• Experience with data and bio-sample collection, and ensuring high quality of data and fidelity to protocols
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work in a team environment demonstrate cultural competency and respect for individual differences and values .
• Experience with study governance, regulations, University policies, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements.
• Excellent writing skills, able to aid development and writing of literature reviews, IRB protocols.
• Data management including development, implementation, quality control, and support. Preference toward experience with LORIS, Ripple, REDCap, and internal Penn State HMC software.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative analysis methods and report preparation; advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Creative Cloud; the University’s Strategic Information Management System (SIMS) and accounting procedures and systems (SIMBA) for reporting and budgets; administrative and facilities/operations procedures are ideal.

The FCM campus is located in the beautiful town of Hershey. Living in our diverse communities of the Hershey-Harrisburg-Lancaster region provides a little bit of something for everyone. Local and state parks, lush green mountains, with the famous Appalachian Trail nearby, provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Regional cities boast of art museums, local vineyards, excellent restaurants, shopping, home to the state Capital, and, of course, legendary Hersheypark and Hershey chocolate. Local school districts are award winning, and the soon-to-be-completed Hershey recreational center will offer swimming and other recreation for children. We are conveniently located within driving distance of major metropolitan areas, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington, DC.

To apply, candidates should upload a cover letter, resume and contact information (name, position title, institution, e-mail address) for professional references relevant to this job posting. The successful candidate must pass a background check. The expected start date for this position is in the 2025/2026 academic year. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is closed.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $56,200.00 - $81,500.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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