Clinical Research Specialist

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 29,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University seeks a Research Data Tech Sr to play a hands‑on role in the Midlife Health in the Rural South study. The role involves community outreach, participant recruitment, interviews, assessments, and specimen transport across multiple rural North Carolina counties.

The position requires travel, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and opportunities to contribute to presentations, manuscripts, and publications. Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of related experience are required.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Commitment to racial equity and inclusive research practices.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and stakeholders.
• Represent the study at meetings and outreach events; deliver presentations and answer questions.
• Support recruitment through engagement strategies and community events.
• Conduct participant recruitment activities via telephone, events, and visits.
• Explain study objectives, procedures, risks, and rights to participants; obtain informed consent.
• Coordinate and schedule participant assessments and travel; conduct ~90‑minute in‑person assessments.
• Collect biological specimens and biometric measurements following protocols.
• Package, label, and transport specimens with proper chain-of-custody.
• Review data for accuracy and resolve discrepancies; maintain documentation.
• Support longitudinal engagement through calls, texts, and emails; monitor participation.

Skills

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Diversity & equity

Detail oriented

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Interacting with diverse populations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences/public health/research methods

Job description

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives each team member brings to our work. As a Research Data Tech Sr, you will play a hands‑on role in Midlife Health in the Rural South: Risk and Resilience, a field‑based research study examining health, risk, and resilience among adults in rural North Carolina communities.

Be Bold.

The Research Data Tech Sr is a key member of the field operations team for Midlife Health in the Rural South: Risk and Resilience. The position is based in the study region and requires regular travel among participating North Carolina counties for community outreach, participant recruitment, interviewing, assessments, and specimen transport.

The specialist will be supervised by the project's manager and will work closely with the project manager, project leader, PI team, and other study team members. Contact with project leadership will occur primarily through Zoom, including weekly virtual meetings throughout field operations and more frequent meetings during the launch of field activities.

Successful candidates will also have opportunities, if interested, to work with study team members on research-related presentations, manuscript development, and publication.

**Work for this position will be based in the North Carolina counties of Bertie, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, and Wilson. This position will require significant travel between these counties. Preference would be for the Clinical Research Specialist to live in or near one of these counties.**

What You’ll Do

Build Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and local stakeholders.
• Represent the research study at meetings, outreach events, and community gatherings.
• Deliver presentations and answer questions about the study to foster trust and participation.
• Support community‑based recruitment efforts through collaborative engagement strategies.

Recruit and Enroll Participants

• Conduct participant recruitment activities through telephone outreach, community events, and in‑person visits.
• Share study information and communicate the value of participation using approved recruitment materials.
• Help ensure the study reaches a diverse and representative participant population.

Conduct Eligibility Screening

• Perform participant screenings using standardized protocols.
• Verify eligibility requirements and accurately document participant responses.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical research practices throughout the screening process.
• Explain study objectives, procedures, risks, benefits, and participant rights.
• Ensure participants understand all study requirements before obtaining informed consent.
• Follow Duke and regulatory requirements related to human subjects research.

Coordinate and Conduct Research Assessments

• Schedule participant appointments at times and locations that promote accessibility and engagement.
• Conduct approximately 90‑minute in‑person assessments.
• Collect biological specimens, including blood spot samples, and gather biometric measurements.
• Follow established protocols to ensure data quality, consistency, and participant safety.

Manage Biological Specimens

• Package, label, document, and transport biological specimens according to study protocols.
• Coordinate secure transmission of specimens to Duke for processing and storage.
• Maintain chain‑of‑custody and specimen integrity standards.

Ensure Data Quality

• Review and verify research data for accuracy and completeness.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in study records.
• Maintain organized documentation and support compliance with research requirements.

Support Longitudinal Participant Engagement

• Introduce participants to the study’s longitudinal assessment process.
• Provide ongoing support through phone calls, text messaging, and email communications.
• Monitor participation and encourage continued engagement throughout the study period.
• Help participants navigate study requirements and address questions or concerns.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of research operations and study goals.

What You’ll Bring

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree with significant coursework or training in social sciences, public health, research methods, psychology, sociology, or a related field.

Experience

• One year of related research, community engagement, participant recruitment, healthcare, public health, or field‑based experience. Or equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusive research practices.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team.
• Experience interacting with diverse populations and community stakeholders.
• Comfort using technology to document participant interactions and research activities.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate participant schedules.

Why Duke

At Duke, you’ll be part of a world‑renowned institution committed to discovery, innovation, and improving lives through research, education, and service.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful impact on community‑based health research.
• Work alongside an interdisciplinary team of experienced researchers and community‑engaged scholars.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and dissemination of research findings.
• Gain valuable experience in participant recruitment, human subjects research, biological specimen collection, and longitudinal study implementation.
• Develop professionally through mentorship, collaboration, and exposure to nationally recognized research initiatives.

Work Location & Travel

This position is based in the following North Carolina counties:

Bertie, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wilson.

Regular travel throughout the study region is required.

Work Structure

• Full‑time position.
• Virtual collaboration with study leadership and project management teams.
• Weekly team meetings via Zoom, with increased collaboration during project launch and key operational milestones.

Choose Duke.

Bring your passion for community engagement, your commitment to research excellence, and your desire to improve health outcomes across North Carolina. Join a team dedicated to understanding the factors that shape resilience and well‑being while helping advance research that can make a difference for generations to come.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $21.40 to USD $32.07. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family‑friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.