Research Specialist

Research Specialist

This position is supported through an NIH-funded research grant examining mother-infant synchrony in brain activity and emotional behavior. The study, Postpartum Affect from Infant-Mother Regulation (PAIR), explores how postpartum depression influences positive and negative mother-infant interactions during research visits conducted between 3 and 9 months postpartum. The project is jointly led by Morgan, Judith through the Child Affect Regulation and Expression (CARE) Lab and Hipwell, Alison through the Intergenerational Studies Lab within the Department of Psychiatry.

The Research Specialist will collect near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and behavioral data during home-based visits with mothers and infants throughout the greater Pittsburgh region. Additional responsibilities include supporting study operations through data collection, data entry, quality assurance, and data management activities to ensure the integrity and success of the research project.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

• Independently execute job functions for research protocol(s) including recruitment, scheduling appointments, obtaining written consent forms, collecting data by conducting phone or face to face interviews for research project(s).
• Collaborate with senior research personnel regarding recruitment, data collection, outcomes of interviews, reports according to the needs of the study.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology or related research field.
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
• Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
• Working knowledge of research methodology strongly 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