Coordinates human PET neuroimaging research studies of central nervous system disorders, including substance use and other psychiatric disorders. Recruits and screens research participants, conduct structured clinical interviews and research assessments, and schedule multi-modality study visits. Assists with and adheres to Institutional Review Board (IRB) initial submissions, renewals, modifications, and approved protocols. Maintains source documentation, case report forms, and study tracking systems, and supports scan-day operations under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and Clinical Lab Manager. Opportunity for meaningful research contributions and direct mentorship by Principal Investigator.
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, or a related field
• Prior research, clinical, or volunteer experience with individuals affected by substance use or other psychiatric disorders
• Strong organizational skills and comfort coordinating multi-site, time-sensitive schedules
• Interest in neuroimaging or a research career in the neurosciences
Assists with and adheres to Institutional Review Board (IRB) renewal, modification, and approved protocols. Recruits research subjects and conducts interviews and research assessments.
Recruitment and Screening
Recruits research participants through community and health system referral partners, including addiction medicine clinics, rehabilitation and medically managed withdrawal programs, intensive outpatient programs, and recovery support organizations, as well as through advertising, registries, and community outreach activities.
Conducts telephone and in-person pre-screening, reviews inclusion and exclusion criteria against the approved protocol.
Assists with the informed consent process under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, including reviewing consent documents with prospective participants, documenting the consent discussion, and confirming comprehension and voluntariness.
Tracks recruitment sources, screening outcomes, enrollment, and retention; prepares enrollment and accrual summaries for investigator and sponsor reporting.
Clinical Interviews and Research Assessments
Conducts structured and semi-structured clinical interviews with research participants, including individuals with psychiatric, substance use, and trauma-related disorders, following protocol-specified training and certification requirements.
Administers, scores, and documents protocol-specified research assessments, including substance use history and timeline follow-back measures, symptom rating scales, and neuropsychological or self-report instruments.
Collects protocol-required screening measures such as vital signs, electrocardiograms (ECGs), urine toxicology, breath alcohol testing, and self-reported substance use, and reports results to the study nurse, Principal Investigator, or study physician for clinical interpretation and eligibility decisions.
Recognizes participant distress or safety concerns raised during interviews and immediately escalates to the study nurse, Principal Investigator, or covering study physician in accordance with the protocol’s safety and escalation pathway.
Study Visit Coordination
Schedules and coordinates multi-modality research visits across the PET facility, MRI facility, aligning participant arrival with radiotracer production and injection timing.
Prepares scan-day materials, source documents, and worksheets; confirms pre-visit requirements such as abstinence intervals, fasting, medication holds, and MRI safety screening questionnaires.
Provides clinical research support during PET and MRI visits, clinical assessments and questionnaires, timing and documentation of protocol events, sample labeling and logging, and specimen transport to the laboratory.
Explains study components to subjects in an understandable manner. Ensures knowledge of next steps and comfort with upcoming study procedures.
Regulatory and Data Management
Assists with IRB applications, modifications, continuing reviews, reportable events, and study closure documents; maintains submission tracking and approval records.
Ensures studies are conducted as outlined in the approved protocol and in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, HIPAA, and University and sponsor requirements; identifies and reports protocol deviations.
Maintains investigator documentation in audit-ready condition; supports monitoring visits and internal quality reviews.
Maintains physical and electronic study tracking and data files; performs timely and accurate data entry into case report forms and electronic data capture systems, resolves queries, and supports data submission to sponsor-required repositories.
Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Job Details
- Assignment Category: Full-time regular
- Job Classification: Staff.Clinical Research Coordinator I
- Job Family: Research
- Job Sub-Family: Clinical Research
- Campus: Pittsburgh
- Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum Years of Experience Required: No experience required
- Substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.
- Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications
- Relocation Offered: No
- Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
- Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
- Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
- Required Documents: Resume
- Optional Documents: Not Applicable