Research Support Specialist

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The University of Miami/UHealth Department of Public Health has an exciting opportunity for a full time Research Support Specialist to work in Miami, FL.

The Caban-Martinez Lab in the UM Department of Public Health Sciences seeks a Research Support Specialist with human research experience to join its growing environmental and occupational health research laboratory. The Firefighter Cancer Initiative ( is focused on cancer control and prevention in the firefighter work environment. The Firefighter Cancer Initiative projects conducted in the Caban-Martinez lab are both office- and field-based where the research team engages firefighters in the collection of health surveys, biological samples, and exposures assessments. The candidate will work in a team environment, participate in and leading components of the firefighter cancer initiative projects, including participant recruitment, enrollment, participant adherence to research protocols, and biological samples collection, and tracking on project metrics. Will maintain excellent relationships with firefighter community partners and study participants. The candidate will have opportunities to present and speak at professional meetings and support the development and publication of project research findings. This job may require evening and weekend hours and job duties may take place at multiple fire department locations throughout Florida and the United States. The Research Support Specialist performs a variety of duties involved in the collection, compilation, and documentation of research data related to the assigned research studies. The incumbent also assists with the implementation of daily study activities and provides statistical support to these activities.

• Researches, collects, analyzes, and synthesizes data and maintains databases.
• Conducts quality assurance checks, reports on the status of research activities, and submits monthly activity logs for protocol.
• Organizes and coordinates community working group meetings for protocol activities.
• Serves as primary point of contact for community partners and supervises and oversees research data collection at protocol venues in the community.
• Reviews study progress, identifies areas of opportunity, and recommends solutions.
• Prepares and updates study research procedures manuals.
• Assists with the preparation of grant proposals by processing regulatory documents for all institutions and offices involved.
• Contributes to the publication and presentation of significant results and writes and edits material for publication and presentation.
• Maintains research files and responds to phone calls on the research study phone line.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department Specific Functions:

Job Description Summary:

• The Research Support Specialist performs a variety of duties involved in the collection, compilation, and documentation of research data related to assigned research studies. Works closely with the faculty investigator and the primary investigator in the implementation of daily study activities. Provides statistical support for research projects.
• Researches and collects data, maintains databases, interprets, synthesizes, and analyzes data using scientific or statistical techniques; conducts quality assurance checks with research data manager; reports on status of research activities and submits monthly activity logs for protocol.
• Assists in the organization and coordination of community working group meetings for protocol activities including the development of protocol timelines, meeting agendas, resource materials, and oral presentations for study-related work; serves as primary point of contact for community partners; supervises and oversees research data collection at protocol venues in the community.
• Collaborates with faculty investigators to successfully administer the study protocols, reviews study progress and recommends solutions to faculty investigators; prepares weekly progress reports for presentation and review at team meetings, and coordinates research team meetings with the assistance of the faculty investigators and principal investigator.
• Implements day-to-day project activities including the preparation of research reports and the participation in dissemination activities; prepares study research procedures manual.
• Assists with the preparation of grant proposals by processing regulatory documents for all institutions and offices involved, including IRB, JHS, CTO, and UMH.
• Contributes to the publication and/or presentation of significant results; writes and edits material for publication and presentation.
• Conducts data entry, maintains research files and responds to phone calls on the research study phone line.

Job Functions

• Under the guidance of the Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) Deputy Director, Dr. Caban-Martinez and the FCI scientists, the Research Support Specialist will work on key deliverables which include participant enrollment and management within the research projects.
• In-person and remote survey and biological sample collection, monitoring and calling participants for study protocol adherence.
• Organizing and producing study-related materials for study participants self-sampling and blood collection.
• Delivers study-related surveillance metrics to Firefighter Cancer Initiative team.
• Provides detailed monitoring and interventions to participants.
• Assists in the submission of and interprets research protocols and procedures (e.g., IRB).
• Participates in the publication of significant results, including authorship of scientific monographs.
• Prepares and presents significant study findings at educational conferences and/or scientific meetings.
• Ensures all research is undertaken according to good research practice and guidance. 
• Willingness to travel to attend meetings or for data collection.
• Researches, collects, analyzes, and synthesizes data and maintains databases.
• Conducts quality assurance checks, reports on the status of research activities, and submits monthly activity logs for protocol.
• Organizes and coordinates community working group meetings for protocol activities.
• Serves as primary point of contact for community partners and supervises and oversees research data collection at protocol venues in the community.
• Reviews study progress, identifies areas of opportunity, and recommends solutions.
• Prepares and updates study research procedures manual.
• Assists with the preparation of grant proposals by processing regulatory documents for all institutions and offices involved.
• Contributes to the publication and presentation of significant results and writes and edits material for publication and presentation.
• Maintains research files and responds to phone calls on the research study phone line. 
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
• •Minimum 2 years of relevant experience preferred

• Research, Ethics, and Compliance Training (CITI Program) preferred.

• Phlebotomy experience not required but preferred.

• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Knowledge in the use of REDCap, preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.

• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.

• Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

• Ability to understand and follow instructions

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

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