Research Coordinator

MSU Careers Recent Jobs; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking a Research Coordinator to manage a multi-site study on birth outcomes and neighborhood environments affecting Black families. The role requires on-site work in metro Detroit, IRB submissions, and staff supervision across sites including Wayne State Univ., UNC, and UM.

The position emphasizes data quality, protocol implementation, staff training, and coordination of surveys and biospecimens with linkage to Michigan state data.

Qualifications

• Master's in Perinatal Health Studies or related field; 1-3 years of research experience.
• Experience with IRB applications and amendments.
• Experience supervising staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage daily research activities across multiple sites.
• Prepare and submit IRB applications and amendments.
• Train and supervise research staff and students.
• Develop, validate, and maintain survey instruments in Qualtrics.
• Manage data use agreements and material transfer agreements.
• Oversee recruitment and data collection activities.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Detail oriented

Organizational skills

Self-starter

Team leadership

Education

Master's in Perinatal Health Studies

1-3 years of research experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Pro

SPSS

Qualtrics survey software

Job description

Position Summary

The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, led by Dr. Dawn Misra, invites applications for a Research Coordinator to work as a project manager on research in birth outcomes and neighborhood environment specific to Black families. Applicant will be responsible for all Institutional Review Board applications and amendments for a multi-site research project, and overseeing staff and students at Wayne State University, University of North Carolina, and the University of Michigan.

The LIFE-2 study is a multi-site research study that aims to describe how maternal social environments measured across the life course impact risk of preterm birth as well as the epigenome of women at her own birth and at the time of this pregnancy. The study follows women from delivery through the postpartum year to gain insight into potential risk factors. Research Coordinator’s responsibilities include ensuring the quality of data collected by field staff, implementing protocols virtually and in clinics, sole responsibility of research staff training and supervision, supply purchases, ensuring compliance with Institutional Review Board requirements, including writing applications and amendments. Preparation and execution of data use agreements and material transfer agreements is another task. The primary responsibilities for the research coordinator include coordinating and managing daily research activities, providing lead program and administrative assistance in regards to all aspects of the study, writing protocols, disseminating information and protocols among all study sites and ensuring that protocols are followed, and managing research staff and students across multiple sites. Responsible for developing, creating, and maintaining complex surveys in Qualtrics survey software (including medical record abstraction instruments), tracking expenses, developing and creating recruitment materials, and leading various study meetings. Biospecimens and vital statistics data must be retrieved by linkage of informed consent information with the state of Michigan and the staff member will need to manage this as well. This position will work closely with the field staff and study site PIs, to oversee, manage and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the research project, including the training and supervision of all project staff at multiple sites, and ensuring compliance of research protocol.

This position requires the Research Coordinator to be on site in metro Detroit at hospital partners to supervise and assist in recruitment and medical record abstraction.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired through completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in the Perinatal Health Studies ; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research methodologies, writing reports, supervision, software, data interpretation and handling in area related to research being performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Work experience on perinatal health studies. Experience supervising staff.

Experience working with large data sets; experience recruiting vulnerable populations for research studies; experience managing a team of staff and students; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Pro, and SPSS; excellent written and oral communication skills; self-starter; quick learner; confident communicator; detail oriented; strong organizational skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is a limited term position funded for 9 months from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal

Summary of Health Risks

Study participants self collect a blood spot that is dried and sealed prior to the staff collection.

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 08/11/2026 at 11:55 PM

Advertised: Aug 5, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Aug 11, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time