Clinical Research Coordinator I - Neuroimaging Research Program

University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh seeks a Clinical Research Coordinator I to support the Neuroimaging Research Program on the Pittsburgh campus. You will recruit and screen participants, conduct structured interviews, and coordinate multi-modality study visits under PI and Lab Manager supervision.

You will assist with IRB submissions, maintain study documentation, and ensure compliance with GCP, HIPAA, and sponsor requirements, gaining hands‑on experience in neuroimaging research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, or related field.
• Experience with substance use or psychiatric disorders preferred.
• Strong organizational skills coordinating multi-site schedules.
• Interest in neuroimaging or neuroscience research career.

Responsibilities

• Recruit research participants through community and health system partners and outreach.
• Conduct structured interviews and administer research assessments.
• Coordinate multi-modality study visits across PET/MRI facilities.
• Assist with IRB submissions, amendments, and maintenance of protocol documents.
• Maintain source documentation, data entry, and study tracking.

Skills

Research coordination

Multi-site scheduling

IRB processes

Neuroimaging interest

Education

Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, or related field

Job description

Job Description - Clinical Research Coordinator I - Neuroimaging Research Program (26005941)

Clinical Research Coordinator I - Neuroimaging Research Program

Coordinates human PET neuroimaging research studies of central nervous system disorders, including substance use and other psychiatric disorders. Recruits and screens research participants, conduct structured clinical interviews and research assessments, and schedule multi-modality study visits. Assists with and adheres to Institutional Review Board (IRB) initial submissions, renewals, modifications, and approved protocols. Maintains source documentation, case report forms, and study tracking systems, and supports scan-day operations under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and Clinical Lab Manager. Opportunity for meaningful research contributions and direct mentorship by Principal Investigator.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, or a related field
• Prior research, clinical, or volunteer experience with individuals affected by substance use or other psychiatric disorders
• Strong organizational skills and comfort coordinating multi-site, time-sensitive schedules
• Interest in neuroimaging or a research career in the neurosciences

Job Summary

Assists with and adheres to Institutional Review Board (IRB) renewal, modification, and approved protocols. Recruits research subjects and conducts interviews and research assessments.

Essential Functions

Recruitment and Screening

Recruits research participants through community and health system referral partners, including addiction medicine clinics, rehabilitation and medically managed withdrawal programs, intensive outpatient programs, and recovery support organizations, as well as through advertising, registries, and community outreach activities.

Conducts telephone and in-person pre-screening, reviews inclusion and exclusion criteria against the approved protocol.

Assists with the informed consent process under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, including reviewing consent documents with prospective participants, documenting the consent discussion, and confirming comprehension and voluntariness.

Tracks recruitment sources, screening outcomes, enrollment, and retention; prepares enrollment and accrual summaries for investigator and sponsor reporting.

Clinical Interviews and Research Assessments

Conducts structured and semi-structured clinical interviews with research participants, including individuals with psychiatric, substance use, and trauma-related disorders, following protocol-specified training and certification requirements.

Administers, scores, and documents protocol-specified research assessments, including substance use history and timeline follow-back measures, symptom rating scales, and neuropsychological or self-report instruments.

Collects protocol-required screening measures such as vital signs, electrocardiograms (ECGs), urine toxicology, breath alcohol testing, and self-reported substance use, and reports results to the study nurse, Principal Investigator, or study physician for clinical interpretation and eligibility decisions.

Recognizes participant distress or safety concerns raised during interviews and immediately escalates to the study nurse, Principal Investigator, or covering study physician in accordance with the protocol's safety and escalation pathway.

Study Visit Coordination

Schedules and coordinates multi-modality research visits across the PET facility, MRI facility, aligning participant arrival with radiotracer production and injection timing.

Prepares scan-day materials, source documents, and worksheets; confirms pre-visit requirements such as abstinence intervals, fasting, medication holds, and MRI safety screening questionnaires.

Provides clinical research support during PET and MRI visits, clinical assessments and questionnaires, timing and documentation of protocol events, sample labeling and logging, and specimen transport to the laboratory.

Explains study components to subjects in an understandable manner. Ensures knowledge of next steps and comfort with upcoming study procedures.

Regulatory and Data Management

Assists with IRB applications, modifications, continuing reviews, reportable events, and study closure documents; maintains submission tracking and approval records.

Ensures studies are conducted as outlined in the approved protocol and in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, HIPAA, and University and sponsor requirements; identifies and reports protocol deviations.

Maintains investigator documentation in audit-ready condition; supports monitoring visits and internal quality reviews.

Maintains physical and electronic study tracking and data files; performs timely and accurate data entry into case report forms and electronic data capture systems, resolves queries, and supports data submission to sponsor-required repositories.

Physical Effort

Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Job Classification Staff.Clinical Research Coordinator I

Job Family Research

Job Sub-Family Clinical Research

Campus Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required No experience required

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience? Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Work Arrangement On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range TBD Based Upon Qualifications

Relocation Offered No

Visa Sponsorship Provided No

Background Check For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances Not Applicable

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.