Clinical Research Specialist

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB); Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 66,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Professional learning & development

Tuition remission

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) seeks a clinical research specialist to lead and support clinical research operations within the School of Medicine - Psychiatry. The role develops protocols, coordinates IRB/HIPAA activities, and ensures rigorous data collection and analysis using SAS, SPSS, and R.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in a related field, 3 years of clinical research experience (2 in a relevant specialization), and strong communication and coordination skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in epidemiology, sociology, psychology, nursing or related clinical field.
• Three years clinical research experience including two years in relevant specialization.
• Experience with IRB/HIPAA protocol development and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise to research programs overseeing clinical research activities.
• Coordinate IRB and HIPAA protocol development and ensure compliance of operations.
• Manage participant recruitment, eligibility screening, informed consent, and data collection.
• Maintain database files and run data quality checks using Excel/Access.
• Perform data analysis using SAS, SPSS, and R; ensure data quality and relevance.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical research operations and study initiation/execution.

Skills

Scientific terminology

Statistical data analysis

IRB knowledge

Communication skills

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in epidemiology or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SAS

SPSS

R

Excel/Access

Job description

Benefits Information

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties

• Performs as a single specialist in a clinical setting who is responsible for providing technical expertise to research programs and projects overseeing clinical research activities. The position develops, recommends, modifies, and implements policies and procedures for clinical research, as well as develop protocol manuals and data collection instruments. This position significantly contributes to the conduct of research.
• Coordinates the preparation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) protocol development and ensure compliance of research operations with protocols. Coordinates developing and recommending policies and procedures and/or design methods for clinical research activities.
• Manages interaction with subject participants including eligibility screening, recruitment, enrollment, ensuring informed consent is properly secured and documented, counseling, and obtaining patient medical history. May obtain tissue and blood samples as necessary and collects information through interviews, questionnaires, test results, and charts.
• Establishes and maintains database files and reports using computer applications such as Microsoft Excel/Access. Perform data checks, audits, and data cleaning. Check validity and accuracy of data ensuring compliance with quality control requirements and study relevance.
• Performs clinical research activities including advanced data analysis using statistical software such as SAS, SPSS, and R; data management (collection, entry, verification); data interpretation, and ensures compliance and clinical relevance of data. May develop data collection instruments such as survey questionnaires.
• Maintains communication with participants and colleagues regarding protocol specific information and research orders. Provides assessments and ensure protocol compliance while participants are in a study.
• Serves as liaison to other departments such as IRB or CCT, outside organizations, government agencies, and product representatives to promote effective and efficient operation and use of resources.
• Oversees and coordinates the day to day clinical research operations, study initiation, execution, and completion. Assist in the design and provide expert recommendation regarding research studies. Oversees interaction with subject participants including eligibility screening, recruitment, enrollment, ensuring informed consent is properly secured and documented, counseling, and obtaining patient medical history.
• May provide working coordination and feedback to others.
• Performs day-to-day operational duties such as: monitoring the budget; budget negotiation and review, ensuring quality control and safety compliance; serving as liaison with IRB, submitting invoicing, develops policies, procedures, and/or methods for laboratory experimentation; and ordering supplies.
• Searches relevant literature, develops conclusions on research findings, writes reports, prepare and deliver presentations of relevant findings and conclusions, and recommends appropriate actions. May conduct library research and contributes to the preparation and writing of research findings for publication of journal articles and grant proposals.
• Provides training to less experienced researchers; assisting in developing and submitting grants, papers, abstracts, manuscripts and presenting studies; developing protocol manuals and data collection instruments; participating in field visits, responding to requests and questions from individuals, institutions, government agencies, and funding agencies; and participating in the design of research studies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor's degree in epidemiology, sociology, psychology, nursing or scientific field of study related to the clinical setting: behavioral health research. Master's degree preferred.

Experience

Three (3) years clinical research including two (2) years in the relevant research specialization.

Other

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to understand and utilize scientific/behavioral health terminology and research theory in both oral and written communications.
• Advanced skills in statistical programming, interpretation and data analysis using statistical software as well as spreadsheet and database software applications.
• Ability to participate in and supervise execution of research design, including IRB preparation and compliance, data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge and assurance of compliance issues related to clinical research activities.
• Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for making decisions or judgments.
• Ability to use a consultative approach to resolve issues in area of responsibility.
• Ability to network with, and present information to key groups and individuals, including schools, families, and professionals of various disciplines.
• Expertise in child and adolescent behavioral health.
• Evidence of research and academic productivity (peer-reviewed publications) and desire to participate in and to lead manuscript development.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability and desire to represent the National Center for School Mental Health and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
• Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.

Hiring Range

$65,500 - $76,000, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact [e-mail]. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.

Job

Reg or CII Exempt Staff

Employee Class

Exempt Contingent II

Full Time/Part Time

Full-Time

Shift

Day Job

Organization

School of Medicine - Psychiatry

Job Posting

Sep 21, 2026

Unposting Date

Oct 2, 2026, 8:59:00 PM