Healthy Lifestyle Center, Research Assistant, Department of Pediatrics

Job Description:

This purpose of this position is to provide support for research and other community-engaged activities conducted within the multidisciplinary pediatric obesity treatment and research center in the Department of Pediatrics at the Healthy Lifestyle Center at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University (CHoR).

Qualified candidates will serve as a community-engaged research and program assistant for Center-related programmatic efforts and grant-funded research protocols examining pediatric obesity prevention and treatment conducted in the Healthy Lifestyles Center at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. They will be responsible for assisting in recruitment and retention for community-engaged research; coordination and facilitation of community advisory board meetings; providing background on research and literature related to pediatric obesity and health, data collection; and data analysis. This position will also include assisting in translating community needs into programmatic efforts and grant deliverables. In these roles, the research assistant will collaborate with other research staff in the center. This position will report to the Senior Clinical Research Coordinator and Center Co-Directors and will work closely with other research assistants within the Center. This position is contingent on grant-funding.

Minimum Qualifications:

B.A./B.S. required, with degree in health-related science preferred.
Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) certification
Strong organizational and communication skills
Strong knowledge of pediatric obesity and fundamental research principles
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong leadership skills
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with families across a broad cultural and socioeconomic spectrum
Ability to interface effectively with external organizations, such as schools and community organizations.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex regulations, policies, and requirements for each study assigned.
Excellent organization, time management and critical thinking skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Ability to work in a diverse environment.
Flexibility with work hours to include evenings, weekends and early mornings as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

MS in behavioral science, nutrition, or related field
Experience conducting family-based research
Experience with pediatric obesity (clinical and/or research)
Experience using Excel, SPSS and REDCap