Research Project Coordinator and Lab Manager
Unit: Hands and Hearts Together Research Project, Lehigh University
Location:
Parents and Children Together (PACT)
2001 North Front St.
Building 2, Suite 222
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Travel Required:
Yes. Mileage reimbursed at standard rate.
Reports to:
Susan S. Woodhouse, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Lehigh University
Salary: $42,000/year (includes benefits).
Start date: Flexible, now.
Job Summary: This is a full-time research project coordinator/lab manager position (40 hours a week). Applicants must be available at least some evenings and weekends for data collection, community contact, and research project recruitment. The successful candidate will gain experience managing a research lab and working with parents and children in collecting data on parent-child interactions, heart rate, stress hormones in saliva, and child temperament. We seek individuals with strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. We are particularly interested in individuals with strong ties to the Harrisburg community. The skills learned through this experience will be useful for those who intend to go to graduate school in psychology, human development, nursing, medicine, social work, or related fields. This position involves working with families and children. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus, but not required for this position.
Paid Training Provided: We will provide all necessary training. Previous experience is not necessary. Training time will be paid. Interest in parents and children is a must. Experience or interest in culturally responsive communication is key.
Project Goals: The overall goal of the Hands and Hearts Together project is to test parenting support interventions to promote healthy child functioning. Our goal is to use the knowledge we gain through this research to understand how we can best support parents in all they do to ensure their own children’s healthy development. We work with parents of children ages 12 months to 4 years of age.
Job Duties:
The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of research project coordination and lab management, including the following duties:
- Collect data for the Hands and Hearts Together research study, including welcoming research participants (parents and their young children, ages 12 months to 4 years) to the lab, properly administering the research protocol/participant tasks in the scripted order, collecting data on heart rate variability using heart sensors and computer software, collecting salivary data with young children, working with parents in a supportive manner, and administering questionnaires.
- Monitor the safety and confidentiality of research participants, obtain informed consent from participants, and oversee implementation of human subjects protections in accordance with the study protocols
- Provide direct supervision of research assistants/home visitors/babysitters. Ensure that all research assistants/home visitors/babysitters have appropriate training for human subjects research.
- Coordinate with project staff regarding recruitment and scheduling of interested community members as needed, coordinate the scheduling of lab and home visits, assist in monitoring progress in timely completion of labs and home visits, maintain the project calendar
- Recruit participants for the research study by informing Early Head Start families about the opportunity
- Maintain appropriate documentation and files related to the project in keeping with IRB standards and requirements.
- Maintain a participant database and maintain contact with potential participants.
- Resolve administrative problems by coordinating preparation of reports, analyzing data, and identifying solutions.
- Provide information by answering questions and requests.
- Coordinate with the principal investigators for the assigned research study
- Collaborate with lab managers at two additional sites (University of Maryland and Lehigh University) via telephone, videoconferencing, and e-mail.
- Interface regularly with information technology and equipment manufacturers to resolve technical issues related to data collection. Troubleshoot for technical problems and maintain the integrity of the project protocol.
- Manage data collected and prepare the data to be sent to other sites (may include audio/video tapes of focus groups, saliva samples, interaction video data, heart rate data, and questionnaire/interview data).
- Maintain budget, purchase supplies, and oversee day-to-day running of the lab
- Maintain supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies
- Organize project materials and monitor incoming data for accuracy
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of community organizations in Harrisburg local area
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing services to the public
- Knowledge of computer use and standard software (e.g., Word, Excel)
Skills/qualifications:
- Reporting Skills, Administrative Writing Skills, Microsoft Office Skills, Managing Processes, Organization, Professionalism, Problem Solving, Supply Management, Inventory Control, Verbal Communication, Community Outreach, Interpersonal Skills
- Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) is a plus, but not required
Work Activities:
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships withcommunity members, neighbors, and community partners and maintain them over time; outstanding interpersonal skills are necessary.
Communicating with Supervisors and Peers: Provide information, project paperwork, data, outcomes and outcome measurement in a timely manner to supervisors and university lab managers by telephone, in written form, email or in person (i.e. paperwork/documentation, participant questionnaires, enrollment and consent forms, video and physiological data).
Outreach Programming: Implement appropriate outreach programming based on community needs, project participants, and guidance from supervisor. Be familiar with and understand Harrisburg culture in order to reach potential research participants. Conduct outreach and form partnerships with community organizations and churches.
Getting Information: Observe, receive and obtain information from all relevant sources.
Scheduling Work and Activities: Schedule data collection sessions, meetings, events, programs and activities.
Developing and Building Teams: Encourage and build mutual trust, respect and cooperation among project participants, coworkers, student research assistants, support staff, and volunteers. Participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce.
Thinking Creatively and Working Independently: Develop new ideas and relationships. Demonstrate ability to work on complex tasks with minimal supervision. Troubleshooting and problem solving.
Perform additional related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree in Psychology, Human Development, Family Services, Social Work, or related field preferred, but not required
- 1 year experience with research laboratory work preferred
- Competency in working with urban and racially/ethnically diverse residents of Harrisburg and surrounding areas
- Strong computer skills in 2007 Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and Power Point
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (verbal, written, and electronic)
- Willingness to engage in complex tasks independently
- Experience with computer database management preferred but not required
- Valid PA driver’s license
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance and PA State Police Criminal History Clearance
- Must have an understanding of and appreciate the goal of the projects
If interested in employment and have questions, please contact Susan Woodhouse at (717) 461-2412
or [email protected].
Submit cover letters and resumes electronically to Susan Woodhouse, [email protected].
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Ability to Commute:
- Harrisburg, PA 17102 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Harrisburg, PA 17102: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
