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. Michele Levine, Christine Call and Rachel Kolko Conlon, aim to understand and improve maternal and infant health. Ongoing studies involve understanding food insecurity during pregnancy as well as maternal and infant patterns related to appetite, eating, sleep, and circadian rhythms during the first year of life. The lab's newest project will involve testing the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention delivered during pregnancy and its effect on maternal health outcomes.

Collaboration with other lab members and colleagues on studies with similar aims/outcomes will also be involved.

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.

+ 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 with renewal

+ Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran