Research Associate

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, the Research Associate will assist in the administration of an NIA funded, multi-year research project focusing on the prevention of elder mistreatment in the context of family caregiving to persons living with dementia. This individual will be responsible for engaging in participant recruitment activities, eligibility screening, and data collection processes, participant payment, while adhering to all study protocols. This individual will also on occasion review and prepare sections for reports, such as safety monitoring reports and annal progress reports, update or review updates of study procedures, as well as disseminate study findings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Working with the project manager, schedule and complete participant eligibility screenings, contact participants to complete study surveys by phone and email, send study payments, check data quality in REDCap forms, and deploy adverse events protocols as needed. Communicate regularly with the project manager to address key issues in recruitment, retention, data collection and other applicable issues. Participant in the development of operational procedures and protocols, including intervention materials. (65%)

2. Participate in subject recruitment and retention, such as creating recruitment reports and coordinating with healthcare partners for recruitment activities. Coordinate recruitment opportunities with health and community partners in partnership with the project manager and principal investigator. (15%)

3. Conduct fidelity monitoring for intervention delivery. Communicate with study interventionist(s) on fidelity monitoring procedures, such as recording and uploading sessions to Box, self-administration of fidelity evaluations, and conduct observer-rated fidelity reports. Identify areas for improvement on performance as needed, in conjunction with the project manager and principal investigator. Coordinate and schedule interventionist team meetings and maintain meeting minutes. (10%)

4. Promote integrity of the study data by assisting the project manager to monitor data quality, such as screening for potential "imposter participants," completing data quality checks for study screening forms and surveys, and assisting in the preparation Data Safety Monitoring and enrollment reports. Assist with basic data management tasks, such as data cleaning procedures. (5%)

5. Schedule investigator team meetings and prepare minutes following meetings. (5%)

6. Participate in the dissemination of findings to scientific conferences and peer-reviewed manuscripts. (5%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
   

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with the interventionist, project manager, principal investigator and co-investigators; School of Nursing Center for Research, School of Nursing Finance Office, other faculty in department, to exchange information.

University: Frequent contact with co-investigators among university faculty, Office of Research Administration office, IRB office, university purchasing, budget, accounting, legal, information services, and human resources, to exchange information.

External: Frequent contact with recruitment sites at Cleveland Clinic and University of Southern California Department of Family Medicine; Contact with co-investigators outside the university to receive and manage requests for information from outside the university, including NIH.

Students: Supervise students (BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD) in application of research protocols, data collection and practice of data entry occasionally.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No supervisory responsibility at this time.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Research protocol execution.

2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

3. Ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships with researchers and study personnel.

4. Ability to evaluate and coordinate activities of others.

5. Ability to adhere to study protocols.

6. Excellent organizational skills.

7. Writing skills sufficient to prepare reports and IRB submission.

8. Ability to use personal computer: Microsoft office products (required), REDCap management (required), email (required) and internet programs (required).

9. Ability to meet consistent attendance.

10. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

Salary Grade

In compliance with the City of Cleveland's Pay Transparency Ordinance (effective October 27, 2025), the annual starting base salary range for this position is from $52,000 - $80,000. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant, as well as the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal peer equity. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and paid time off.

WORKING CONDITIONS

No exposure to hazardous materials. Must have reliable form of transportation for in-person workplace.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Minimum of 3 years' work experience in the areas of clinical research recruitment, data collection, data entry and cleaning, and management.

Education: Master's degree required. Additional research training preferred.