Lab Coordinator

University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The CREAR Lab at the University of Pittsburgh is seeking a Lab Coordinator to support IRB management, participant recruitment, interviews, and data handling for bilingual, multinational studies focused on adolescent health and well-being.

The role requires strong organization, communication, and teamwork, with supervision of a diverse student team; proficiency in Spanish reading/writing; and willingness to work hybrid hours, including occasional evenings or weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a social science or related field.
• Experience in psychology research or adolescent development preferred.
• Proficiency with standard office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate data collection procedures and manage data with secure systems.
• Review human subjects regulations and prepare protocols and amendments.
• Supervise lab operations and oversee undergraduate and graduate staff.
• Schedule meetings, track timelines, and monitor project progress.
• Oversee budgeting, purchasing, and grant writing tasks.
• Translate materials between English and Spanish for community outreach.
• Engage with community partners to disseminate findings.
• Flexibly take on additional lab tasks as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Spanish fluency

Organization

Research coordination

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SPSS

R

NVivo

Job description

Job Description - Lab Coordinator (26005355)

Lab Coordinator

Psychology - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - ( 26005355 )

The Community Research Exploring Adolescent Resilience (CREAR) Lab is seeking a Lab Coordinator to support research examining the academic and psychological outcomes of adolescents and young adults, particularly among Latina/o/x populations at the domestic and international level. Led by Dr. Andrea Medrano in the Department of Psychology, the lab encompasses various large-scale, fully funded, bilingual mixed methods studies across various stages of execution and involving community-based partnerships. A dedicated Lab Coordinator is needed to provide technical and administrative support for the extensive portfolio of the team. Specifically, the candidate will assist with the preparation, submission, modification and renewal of Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, participant recruitment efforts, consent procedures with participants, conducting qualitative interviews, management of quantitative and qualitative data, financial administration of study funds, grant writing and support, and other assigned research duties. Additionally, the Lab Coordinator will also assist with community partnership maintenance with schools and non-governmental organizations through consistent and timely communication, engagement, and collaboration. Responsibilities will also include supervising lab operations and overseeing a large team of over 15 undergraduate, graduate, and postbaccalaureate students by assigning tasks, monitoring progress, leading lab meetings, and interviewing potential research assistants.
The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications: Bachelor's degree (or skills and work experience commensurate with a BA/BS) in psychology, human development, education, sociology, social work, or other social science; research experience in the fields of psychology, specifically child and adolescent development; interest and commitment to research focused on promoting the health and well-being of ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse communities; proficiency with basic office productivity tools (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive); superior problem-solving skills and a willingness to take initiative; ability to work independently and work collaboratively in a team environment; excellent oral and written communication skills; strong organizational and interpersonal skills; meticulous attention to detail. Experience using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) and/or qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo) is desirable but not required. Given the extensive work and partnerships conducted in Spanish, the candidate must possess a fluent level of Spanish in reading, writing, and comprehension.
A valid driver's license is required for this position.

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

• Coordinate primary data collection procedures including development and administration of surveys, pilot testing, qualitative interviews, and maintain systems secure for data management through appropriate databases.
• Review and apply regulations governing human subjects research and prepare protocols, amendments, and modifications for research involving human subjects, including vulnerable populations such as children.
• Supervise lab operations through direction communication and organization with lab personnel to include undergraduate research assistants, graduate students, and staff as necessary.
• Schedule lab meetings, track project timelines, and monitor team progress to effectively support research operations.
• Oversee financial activities such as purchasing lab materials, tracking awarded funds, participant payments, and grant writing through tracking system.
• Translate research plans and project materials into English and Spanish to ensure accessible and comprehensive information to be distributed to community residents, stakeholders, and leaders.
• Engage with established community partners to disseminate findings and advertise studies to diverse audiences.
• The ideal candidate will be flexible and adaptable and demonstrate the willingness and initiative to take on other lab tasks as necessary.
• Occasionally work limited nonstandard hours (e.g., evenings, weekends) to perform required research activities (e.g., participant recruitment, community stakeholder engagement, and data collection).

Physical Effort

This position is primarily sedentary and involves significant periods of sitting (or standing based on the incumbent’s preferences) while using a computer, audiovisual, telephone, and other office equipment. The role involves some movement between lab spaces, offices, and conference rooms within the (wheelchair-accessible) workplace as well as some on-campus and off-campus (i.e., within the community at large) travel for recruitment, data collection, meetings, and other purposes. The incumbent may have to transport and carry recruitment and study materials and documents to different on-campus and off-campus locations, but no heavy lifting is required.

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 Schedule Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00 Occasionally work limited nonstandard hours (e.g., evenings, weekends) to perform required research activities

Work Arrangement Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.

Hiring Range $17.74 to $22.17 per hour

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.