Research Coordinator I

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. USC is consistently ranked among the nation’s most prestigious universities, and the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology features one of the world’s best degree and research programs in gerontology. The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has an international reputation as a hub of aging research and with additional strong programs throughout the university, leads the way in defining and advancing the field of gerontology: https://gero.usc.edu

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Nation Lab at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is seeking a Research Coordinator to assist in a variety of activities for ongoing NIH-funded longitudinal studies. The Nation Lab conducts human subject aging neuroscience research that focuses on the role of vascular risk factors in Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

The ideal candidate will be goal-oriented, highly organized, and passionate about research. They should enjoy working in a collaborative and high-energy academic laboratory with rapidly evolving research goals and projects. Primary responsibilities will include subject recruitment, screening for eligibility, scheduling research procedures/sessions, monitoring participant progress throughout the course of the study, and running study sessions, specifically conducting comprehensive neuropsychological testing in both English and Spanish. A focus of this role will be to assist in leading efforts to enhance the Latinx population in our study sample. Additional responsibilities will include translating study documents into Spanish, assisting in the development or update of research protocols and source documents, data collection, and assisting in overall study progress monitoring. This role will report directly to the Research Lab Manager and Principal Investigator and may oversee the work of volunteer research assistants or other team members performing similar duties.

USC and the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology are committed to promoting inclusiveness and diversity, broadly defined, among our students, staff, and faculty. Thus, we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and /or service have prepared them to help us fulfill this commitment.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

• Conduct comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, participant interviews, and collect physiological measurements from both English and Spanish-speaking participants.
• Prepare study session materials and spaces, greet participants, accompany them to different on-campus locations for procedures, and coordinate parking and/or transportation.
• Score assessments, enter data, and perform data quality checks. Coordinate related work from other lab personnel, including providing training and feedback to graduate student and volunteer research assistants on data collection procedures, data entry and accuracy.
• Maintain up-to-date logs of data collection and entry activities, monitor progress based on establish study timelines, and provide regular updates.
• Assist in recruiting and screening study participants for eligibility based on established inclusion/exclusion criteria; serve as lead recruiter for Spanish-speaking participant population. Schedule participants for study sessions in coordination with study team.
• Serve as lead liaison for Spanish-speaking participants, attending all study sessions to provide translation services and assist team members with study sessions and data collection activities (e.g., assist during MRI scans and biospecimen collection).
• Participate in the development of data collection forms, training materials and study protocols. Translate existing participant-facing forms into Spanish, as requested.
• Assist in coordinating student research assistant schedules and other volunteer support.
• Order supplies and materials and provide administrative support to Lab Manager or Principal Investigator as needed (e.g., coordinating meeting schedules, preparing documents for regulatory reviews etc.)
• As time allows, engage in preprocessing, preliminary analysis of the data and writing up of the results in coordination with research team and Principal Investigator.
• May involve travel to external research sites (no more than 15% of time traveling within Southern California).
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or related fields.
• 2 years experience working directly with participants in a clinical research setting.
• Strong computer skills (particularly Microsoft Excel), experience with REDCap data entry and database management, and familiarity with experimental research methods.
• Ability to pay extreme attention to organizational elements of tasks. Ability to independently prioritize daily workload within a dynamic environment where goals and overall research priorities may shift frequently.
• Experience creating or assisting in the creation of research protocols and participant-facing study materials.
• Experience coordinating the work of other team members (e.g., volunteer research assistants/students). 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• Experience: 1 year relevant experience as a research coordinator or working in some capacity in research; must have 1 year specifically conducting neuropsychological/cognitive assessments; candidate MUST have demonstrated experience conducting research procedures in Spanish.
• Field of Expertise: Administrative or research experience.  Working knowledge of MS Office applications.  Demonstrated effective communication and writing skills.  Ability to multi-task and prioritize.  Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Languages: fluent Spanish and English (must be bilingual).
• Excellent interpersonal skills needed for interaction with participants.

This is a full-time non-exempt position that will require substantial commitment and flexibility. This position requires no more than 15% time traveling within the southern California region. This position does not require any specific licenses. Work will be 100% in person on campus. 

The hourly rate range for this position is $31.08 - $32.77. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. This position is funded by a research grant. Accordingly, this position is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from this or any subsequent grant to continue employment.  ​

To Apply

If you are interested, please submit your completed application and include a cover letter and resume with references. Thank you for your interest!

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 1 year Minimum Field of Expertise: Administrative or research experience. Working knowledge of MS Office applications. Demonstrated effective communication and writing skills. Ability to multi-task and prioritize. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.