Research Specialist, UPMC

The Regulation of Emotion in ASD Adults Children and Teens (REAACT) Lab (www.reaact.pitt.edu), which focuses on emotion and mental health in autism, is seeking a full-time research specialist. The primary responsibility for the applicant will be related to the Clinical Core and P3 within an NIMH Autism Center of Excellence study focused on advancing research on adult mental health and suicide. The Research Specialist will be working with participants during lab visits to make sure they understand what is involved with their visit, helping to answer participant questions when they arise, scheduling participants, working with others in the lab ensuring good communication that tasks are completed and logged, completing data entry and tracking. This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

Guide participants through all study procedures from start to finish, including but not limited to: Screen participants, obtain informed consent, administer & track progress through research tasks, disburse payments. Communicating with clinicians and relevant personnel to determine participant eligibility, as needed. Manage recruitment of participants via main study email, main study phone number, Pitt+Me inquiries, and referrals from external sources and outside collaborators. Refer participants to online-only version of study as needed. Orient participants to all aspects of the study including interviews/assessments, self-report questionnaires, ambulatory physiology & EMA, fMRI, and 6- and 12-month follow up visits. Answer participant questions as they arise. Schedule participants for all study visits and coordinate with relevant trained staff to ensure availability for appointments. Ensure that study visits are scheduled according to desired study flow as determined by PIs. Assist with preparing equipment for participant visits, acclimate participants to surveys on iPad, and complete wrap-up tasks following participant visits Support data collection via Qualtrics for Project 3. Escort participants to Presbyterian Hospital for Project 3 imaging appointments. Assist in administering MRI pre-scan surveys, orienting participants through practice tasks, review MRI pre-screening of participants. Administer and reliability score WASI II Score data and complete data audits Enter study data into a secure database File and track data, consents, and other paperwork in accordance with study protocol. Assist with literature searches and pulling data when needed Participant in weekly supervision with the designated study investigator Attend study team meetings Ability to work independently with little supervision once trained. Perform other duties as related to the research project as requested by the Principal Investigators, coordinator, and/or supervisors. May assist in other studies with additional duties as new grants are funded. May also support other ongoing studies if there is additional time, focusing on similar types of tasks. Must be able to juggle and prioritize tasks and keep open communication with the Principal Investigator and supervisors to ensure timely completion of all duties Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors. Available to work evenings and/or weekends if needed.