Research Specialist

Role overview

CHEManager International is hiring a full-time Research Specialist to support the REAACT Lab, a group dedicated to studying emotion regulation and mental health in autism across children, teens, and adults. The main focus of this role will be work tied to the Clinical Core and Project 3 within an NIMH Autism Center of Excellence study that aims to advance understanding of adult mental health and suicide.

This is a grant-funded position. The selected candidate will work directly with study participants during lab visits, explain procedures, respond to questions, coordinate scheduling, maintain clear communication with the team, and keep data entry and tracking up to date.

Key duties

• Walk participants through study procedures from beginning to end.
• Screen participants, obtain informed consent, track progress through research tasks, and issue participant payments.
• Coordinate with clinicians and other relevant staff to confirm participant eligibility when needed.
• Manage participant recruitment through the study email inbox, main phone line, Pitt+Me inquiries, and referrals from outside collaborators and external sources.
• Direct participants to the online-only study option when appropriate.
• Introduce participants to all parts of the study, including interviews, assessments, self-report forms, ambulatory physiology, EMA, fMRI, and the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits.
• Answer participant questions and help them navigate their study visit.
• Arrange study appointments and work with trained staff to make sure visits fit the intended study schedule.
• Prepare equipment for visits, help participants get comfortable using iPad-based surveys, and complete post-visit wrap-up tasks.
• Support Project 3 data collection using Qualtrics.
• Accompany participants to Presbyterian Hospital for imaging appointments related to Project 3.
• Help administer MRI pre-scan surveys, guide participants through practice tasks, and review MRI pre-screening materials.
• Administer and score the WASI II with reliability.
• Score data, perform data audits, and maintain accurate study records.
• Enter study information into a secure database.
• File, organize, and track data, consent forms, and other documentation according to study protocol.
• Assist with literature searches and retrieve data when needed.
• Participate in weekly supervision with the designated study investigator.
• Attend team meetings and collaborate closely with other lab members.
• Work independently with minimal supervision after training.
• Take on additional research duties assigned by the principal investigators, coordinator, or supervisors.
• Support other studies as new grants are awarded, and help with related ongoing projects when time allows.
• Prioritize multiple tasks effectively and maintain open communication so work is completed on time.
• Follow system-wide competency and behavior expectations.
• Be available for evening and/or weekend work when required.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required, ideally in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology, or another related research area.
• At least 1 year of experience in a research project or related clinical environment is required.
• Comfort using computers and standard software is required.
• Knowledge of research methods is strongly preferred.

Licensure and clearances

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting, with renewal
• Act 33, with renewal
• Act 34
• Act 73 FBI Clearance, with renewal

Additional information

This role is based in Pittsburgh, PA and is onsite. The employer notes that it is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants regardless of disability or veteran status.