Research Area Specialist Sr; TERM LIMITED

Research Area Specialist Sr (TERM LIMITED)

The onWHARD team in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology is seeking a Research Area Specialist to serve as a Senior-level contributor and day-to-day driver of complex, high-impact research activities and dissemination. Reporting to the Research Area Specialist, Lead, this role operates with considerable latitude and independent decision-making authority within a recognized research unit.

The Research Area Spl. Senior Specialist will develop, design, and conduct large and complex research projects, with particular emphasis on qualitative and mixed methods approaches. The role will also author and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts and high-visibility dissemination products (e.g., reports, briefs, toolkits, presentations), translate research for academic, clinical, community, and public audiences, and support acquisition of research funding through proposals and project narratives.

This position will frequently serve as a liaison across departments, collaborators, and community partners, ensuring rigorous methods, ethical compliance, and high-quality deliverables aligned with onWHARD priorities in women?s health, fibroids/heavy menstrual bleeding, health equity, and reproductive disparities.

Research Leadership & Project Execution

• Independently lead major components of one or more large, complex studies from design through dissemination, in partnership with the Lead and faculty PIs.
• Formulate and refine research questions, analytic plans, and mixed methods designs; propose options to improve study quality and feasibility.
• Identify risks (recruitment barriers, data quality issues, timeline threats), recommend solutions, and implement corrective actions with minimal supervision.
• Develop research protocols and criteria; determine interview and/or focus group procedures and approve qualitative protocols; may design intervention protocols as appropriate to project aims.

Qualitative Methods (Core)

• Design and execute qualitative work streams: develop interview guides, conduct and/or moderate interviews & focus groups, oversee transcription/de-identification, and manage secure qualitative datasets.
• Independently lead development of codebooks; conduct thematic/grounded analysis; produce analytic memos and synthesis that connect findings to theory, context, and implications.
• Supervise and verify qualitative data collection and coding quality; ensure methodological rigor and reproducibility using established qualitative standards.

Quantitative & Mixed-Methods Integration

• Contribute to survey development and administration (e.g., Qualtrics/REDCap) and support descriptive/inferential analyses (e.g., STATA/R) as needed.
• Integrate qualitative and quantitative findings into cohesive study narratives, ensuring alignment with research aims and translational goals.

Grant Writing, Dissemination, Scientific Writing, & Research Translation

• Serve as primary author and/or co-author on manuscripts; draft substantial sections (methods, results, discussion) and ensure coherent storytelling supported by data.
• Produce dissemination products tailored to audience and purpose, including policy- and community-facing briefs, toolkits, reports, webinars, slide decks, and conference materials.
• Co-present with faculty investigators at internal/external meetings and conferences; support public-facing research translation as appropriate to project needs.
  • Stakeholder & Community Engagement
    • Build and sustain relationships with collaborators across academia, clinical teams, community organizations, and external stakeholders.
    • Facilitate research partnerships, including incorporating community input into study design, interpretation, and dissemination plans.
  • Funding Development & Reporting
    • Assist in acquiring research funding by drafting components of grant proposals, progress reports, and sponsor-facing narratives (including qualitative/mixed-methods approach sections).
    • Support development of high-impact dissemination plans that align with project goals and stakeholder needs.
  • Supervision, Operations & Financial Management
    • May supervise exempt and non-exempt research and support personnel (e.g., research assistants, transcription/coding staff), including training on protocols and quality standards.
    • Monitor study budgets relevant to assigned projects; research, recommend, and purchase supplies/equipment/software as needed within unit guidelines.
    • Maintain oversight of literature reviews and reference management for assigned…