Research Project Assistant WPI

The Cognitive-Affective Neuroscience and Development (CAND) Lab is dedicated to understanding neurodevelopmental pathways to anxiety and mood disorders in adolescence, with a particular focus on the role of puberty. The Research Project Assistant will report to Dr. Ladouceur and will oversee daily activities related to lab management, participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, and data acquisition. This person will provide day-to-day supervision of the research staff, coordinate data acquisition, oversee execution of the research protocols according to Good Clinical Research Practice guidelines, and manage all project coordination functions of the grant (monitoring expenditures, preparation of IRB submissions to the University of Pittsburgh IRB, and serving as a liaison with the Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC) and the University of Pittsburgh Office of Research). The ideal candidate has experience with and knowledge about pediatric mental health disorders, exceptional organization skills, outstanding communication, and problem-solving skills, and can motivate while providing structure to research staff they supervise.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and manage day-to-day lab operations, including participant recruitment, scheduling, study protocol implementation, as well as supervision, training, and mentorship of research staff and undergraduate assistants to ensure adherence to study protocols and high standards of research conduct.

• Coordinate multimodal data collection procedures on a longitudinal project examining the role of puberty on the neurodevelopment of anxiety disorders in adolescence, including neuroimaging, pubertal assessments, clinical interviews, questionnaire administration, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA), while ensuring participant safety, protocol fidelity, and a positive participant experience.

• Manage all aspects of data acquisition and quality assurance, including data entry and verification, database management, data flow tracking, secure handling of confidential participant information, and timely identification and resolution of data discrepancies.

• Maintain regulatory compliance with institutional and federal guidelines, including preparation and management of IRB submissions, regulatory binders, protocol documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring adherence to Good Clinical Research Practice (GCP/GCRP) standards.

• Prepare study documentation and progress reports, including weekly project updates, recruitment summaries, and contributions to NIH annual progress reports and other grant-related reporting requirements.

• Serve as a central point of communication across the research team, proactively identifying and addressing operational challenges, maintaining efficient study workflows, and supporting the successful execution of all project goals.

• Perform all responsibilities with a high degree of professionalism, accuracy, and initiative, while adhering to institutional policies, ethical research standards, and expectations established by the Principal Investigator.

• Bachelors degree required preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology, or related research field. Masters degree preferred.

• Minimum of two years of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required. Three years of experience preferred.

• Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.

• Proficiency in basic computer software packages, including Excel and statistical analysis software, is preferred.

• Experience working with children or adolescents is strongly preferred.

• Ability to maintain flexible schedule (e.g., Saturday appointments).

• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, and written/oral communication skills.

• Prior supervisory and/or project management experience preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal

• Act 33 with renewal

• Act 34

• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran