Job No. 157587
- Job Title:
- Research Study Coordinator
- Employer:
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Northwestern University
- Location:
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Chicago , IL
- Posting Date:
- 22-Jan-2026
- Description:
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Job Summary:
About the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences
Northwestern University’s Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci) brings together the rich and diverse community of scholars at Northwestern focused on how early development shapes lifespan health and wellbeing. DevSci provides a scientific platform for transdisciplinary research and training bridging NU’s biomedical and social sciences campuses. DevSci provides specialized infrastructure, resources, and training to over 150 faculty, students and staff from disciplines ranging from pediatrics, developmental psychopathology, prevention, developmental science, education, neuroscience, and population health. It also oversees the Neurodevelopmental Core at Northwestern University which enables the integration of state of the art developmentally-sensitive neuroimaging, physiologic and performance-based developmental assessment methods into diverse research programs.
Position Description
DevSci is seeking an individual with expertise in psychology, child development, health sciences or related fields. This is an hourly, full-time position for a person with research experience in early child health and development. The Research Study Coordinator will primarily support the national HEALthy Brain & Child Development Study (HBCD) (PIs Elizabeth Norton & Laurie Wakschlag, Scientific Project Director Renee Edwards). The HBCD study aims to examine the impact of prenatal substance exposure and other prenatal adversities and protective factors on infant brain and behavioral development. This individual will coordinate maternal and child biospecimen collection and processing, biosensor data collection, and physical assessments for this longitudinal study. Specific responsibilities will include developing comprehensive SOPs for assessment protocols, training research assistants on study procedures, tracking visits to ensure timely scheduling and completion, and communicating national leadership on biospecimen protocols and best practices. Ideally the coordinator will be phlebotomy certified and comfortable with maternal blood draws from diverse participants.
The Research Study Coordinator position requires a combination of both clinical expertise as well as strong administrative skills. The ability to work flexibly across multiple demands and balance administrative and research study visits is crucial. The position requires sensitive engagement with participants, colleagues, and external project constituents. The coordinator will assist the manager in monitoring study performance, assist in development and implementation of new protocols, and ensure that all processes, protocols and procedures are quality controlled and function up to standards.
We are looking for a team player who is willing to take initiative and learn a variety of responsibilities. The individual will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team and should be comfortable communicating with people from a variety of backgrounds including diverse children and families. Ability to think quickly and a capacity to proactively identify and solve problems are essential traits. Flexibility in hours is required, including evenings and weekends. Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback are essential. Strong written and spoken English skills are essential.
Please provide your resume and a cover letter that details your experience with working with children and families and any assessments you are familiar with.
Specific Responsibilities:
Technical
Participates in the planning & conduct of research study including participant recruitment and retention.
Obtains informed consent
Administers tests &/or questionnaires following protocols.
Collects, compiles, tabulates & processes responses.
Gathers information.
Administration
Collects, records, reviews & summarizes research data.
Collates relevant mathematical results & prepares tables, charts & graphs reflecting relationships of multiple tests.
Prepares reports for investigators and sponsors on recruitment status and other pertinent study data.
Writes portions of grant applications & co-author scientific papers.
Completes documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols.
Supervision
May provide work direction &/or train other research staff to interview/test participants.
May act as a mentor in regard to education of junior coordinators.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 2 years' research study or other relevant experience required; OR
Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
Must complete NU's CITI IRB training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.
Prior research with or engagement of under-represented and or/high risk populations (e.g. substance use in the family context, children in under-resourced communities, children with developmental delays, prenatal or parenting women with mental illness)
Infant and child experience, preferably in a research capacity
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills, in person and via phone/web/zoom
Experience collecting biospecimens from human subjects
Proficient with Microsoft Office and accurate data entry
Training/knowledge in early child developmental
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
Experience working in a child development research lab
Experience working with individuals with substance use
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Phlebotomy certification
- Contact information:
- Northwestern University
- Chicago, IL 60208
- United States
- Employer's Website:
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