Clinical Research Coordinator 1, Center for Neuromodulation Research

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia's Center for Neuromodulation Research seeks an experienced Clinical Research Assistant to lead day-to-day operational tasks across a portfolio of trials on non-invasive neuromodulation for substance use disorders. You will recruit participants, manage visits, collect data, and ensure safety per GCP guidelines.

The role involves coordinating with treatment centers, handling paperwork, and maintaining accurate documentation while learning protocol specifics and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in health, life sciences, psychology, neuroscience, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Prior clinical research experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage participants with warmth and without judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with psychiatric and substance-using populations.
• Willingness to complete GCP and human subjects protection training (CITI).
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Screen and identify eligible participants against protocol criteria and maintain screening logs.
• Obtain informed consent under supervision and following IRB procedures.
• Support recruitment at addiction treatment centers and community organizations; participate in off-site visits.
• Perform vital signs, urine testing, and sample processing per protocol.
• Administer questionnaires and behavioral assessments as trained.
• Record data accurately and assist with data quality checks and literature reviews.
• Ensure participant safety and report adverse events and deviations per protocol.
• Maintain study documentation, visit schedules, and study drug/device logs.
• Travel to off-site locations within the local region as needed.

Skills

REDCap experience

Interpersonal skills

GCP knowledge

Good documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in health or life sciences

Tools

REDCap

SPSS

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The Center for Neuromodulation Research (CNR) in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences seeks an experienced Clinical Research Assistant to lead day-to-day operations across a portfolio of clinical trials investigating non-invasive neuromodulation, including focused ultrasound (FUS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), as treatments for substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.

Job Description

Participant recruitment and screening and consent

• Screen and identify eligible participants against protocol inclusion and exclusion criteria; maintain accurate screening logs.
• Obtain and document informed consent under supervision and in accordance with IRB-approved procedures, once trained and delegated.
• Support recruitment activities at partnering addiction treatment centers and community organizations, including off‑site visits working directly with service users.

Clinical study procedures

• Perform vital signs, pregnancy testing, and other urine‑based testing (e.g., toxicology screening) per protocol.
• Collect, process, store, and ship study specimens according to protocol and laboratory procedures.
• Administer study questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and assessments as trained and delegated.
• Recognize and promptly report adverse events, participant concerns, and protocol deviations to the Coordinator or investigator.

Study organization and documentation

• Assist with ongoing study organization, including scheduling study visits, coordinating research visit logistics, maintaining accurate research study data, and assisting with the processing of participant study payments.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of study documentation, including study visit schedules, study drug/device diaries, monitoring and training logs, equipment records, and study communications.
• Learn to read and follow a clinical trial protocol exactly as it is written.

Data

• Collect and enter study data in a timely and accurate fashion, and maintain corresponding source documentation.
• Support study database maintenance and data quality checks (REDCap or equivalent).
• Assist with literature searches and reviews to support protocol development, manuscripts, and grant applications.

Patient safety

• Develop and demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of participant safety in clinical research, and learn to identify the components of a clinical trial protocol that are employed to protect participants.
• Adhere to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Human Subjects Protection, HIPAA, and all applicable federal, state, and University regulations.

Necessary Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a health, life sciences, psychology, neuroscience, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior research experience in a clinical research setting (may include undergraduate research assistantships, internships, or volunteer research roles).
• Highly personable, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport and engage participants with warmth and without judgment.
• Demonstrated ability or clear aptitude for working with psychiatric and substance‑using patient populations.
• Willingness and ability to complete Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and human subjects protection training (CITI) prior to study activities.
• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and attention to detail.
• A demonstrated commitment to research and a strong desire to learn: evidenced by academic record, research involvement, or relevant volunteer/clinical experience.
• Ability to accept direction, ask questions, and follow written procedures precisely.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to off‑site partner locations in the local region.
• Legal right to work in the United States without visa sponsorship, now and in the future. The University will not sponsor visas for this position.

Desired Skills

• Experience with REDCap or comparable electronic data capture systems, and general comfort with research data infrastructure.
• Experience conducting literature reviews or supporting scientific writing.
• Prior exposure to substance use disorder, addiction, or psychiatric populations — clinical, research, harm‑reduction, peer‑support, or volunteer settings all count.
• Familiarity with neuromodulation (FUS, VNS, TMS) or neuroimaging research.
• Experience with vital signs, specimen handling, or point‑of‑care testing.
• Familiarity with statistical or coding software (JASP, SPSS, MATLAB, Python).

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor's Degree Required or equivalent combination of experience, education and or certifications.

Experience: None. Some experience in a healthcare setting and/or knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

This is a non‑exempt‑level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on‑site.

About UVA And The Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Additional Requirements

Background checks, pre‑employment health screenings, and drug screening’ll be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.