Research Specialist

The Perinatal Health and Behaviors (PHAB) lab, under the direction of Dr. Michele Levine, seeks to be an inclusive and safe space for all staff and participants. The PHAB Lab values diversity and is committed to rectifying longstanding inequities within research and academia. The lab conducts high-quality research with the goal of improving perinatal health outcomes and promoting mental and physical health change for birthing peoples.

Current research projects, led by Drs. Christine Call and Rachel Kolko Conlon, aim to understand how food insecurity affects health and wellbeing during pregnancy and postpartum and understanding maternal and infant behaviors related to appetite, eating, sleep, and circadian rhythms during the first year of life and. Collaboration with other lab members on studies with similar aims/outcomes will also be involved.

This position will involve conducting research assessments with study participants, managing recruitment efforts, maintaining participant records and tracking documents, working to optimize participant retention, and helping to supervise a team of undergraduate research assistants. The opportunity for collaboration with colleagues on research duties and publications is also available.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

+ Meet with study participants to conduct assessments and maintain study records.

+ Assist with overseeing a team of undergraduate research assistants assisting with lab and study tasks.

+ Maintain study documents with close attention to detail and organization.

+ 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