Research Coordinator

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mission: To reduce the state cancer burden for all Virginians by addressing the confluence between biological, social, and policy drivers through high-impact, cutting-edge research; person-centered care across the continuum, from prevention through survivorship; community integration; and training the next generation of community-centric researchers and healthcare professionals

Vision: To be a premier community-focused cancer center leading the nation in cancer health equity research and ensuring optimal health outcomes for all

The university and the region

VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Inclusion is our heartbeat and it drives us to tackle difficult challenges others can’t or won’t. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and life experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, we’re forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

VCU dates to 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, whose mission was to educate physicians in central Virginia and which was later renamed Medical College of Virginia. In 1968, Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax, Virginia, and Abingdon, Virginia; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts.

Ignited by the energy of the city, we’re ready to lead industries — or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity.”

This research enterprise, and the influence of having one of the nation’s top-ranked public graduate arts schools, ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.

VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 jobs in Virginia. In addition, Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status — the highest possible status for universities and colleges — allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes. To learn about VCU’s finances, visit about.finance.vcu.edu.

VCU’s mission, under the leadership of President Michael Rao, Ph.D., is to serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:

• Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation.
• Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life.
• Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges.
• Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity.

Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.

Job Summary

This position involves day-to-day coordination of multiple concurrent studies, ensuring regulatory compliance, participant safety, data integrity, and efficient study implementation. The Research Coordinator will work closely with the Principal Investigator (Dr. Katherine Tossas), postdoctoral fellows, students, staff, community partners, and collaborating institutions to ensure high-quality, ethical, and culturally grounded implementation of all studies.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational and communication skills, a strong work ethic, and prior experience coordinating research involving human subjects—particularly participant recruitment, enrollment, and longitudinal retention in clinical or community settings. The position requires demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with populations across varied backgrounds and geographies. This role also involves engaging with participants around sensitive health topics such as cancer risk, abnormal screening results, and health system mistrust, requiring discretion, empathy, and cultural humility. The coordinator will ensure that all interactions uphold participants’ dignity, privacy, and trust while advancing the research mission of cancer prevention and care solutions for all.

Unit: Massey Comprehensive Cancer Ctr MBU

Department: Massey Central Admin

Key Responsibilities

Study Coordination and Participant Engagement

• Coordinate participant recruitment, screening, informed consent, enrollment, and follow-up for human subjects studies.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for study participants, ensuring culturally sensitive and respectful communication.
• Maintain participant tracking logs, follow-up schedules, and documentation in accordance with IRB-approved protocols.
• Assist with outreach activities (e.g., community events, clinics, social media) to promote study visibility and engagement.

Data and Sample Management

• Collect, verify, and enter study data into secure databases with high accuracy.
• Oversee biospecimen labeling, storage, and chain of custody for biological samples
• Maintain up-to-date records in REDCap, LabKey, and other electronic data capture systems.
• Support data quality assurance and generate routine reports for progress tracking.

Regulatory and Administrative Support

• Ensure compliance with IRB protocols, Human Subjects Protection regulations, HIPAA, and institutional policies.
• Assist with preparation and submission of IRB amendments, renewals, and related regulatory documentation.
• Manage study documentation, including consent forms, SOPs, and training logs.
• Coordinate scheduling, meetings, and communication among team members and partners.

Collaboration and Communication

• Engage regularly with internal research teams, clinic partners, and community collaborators.
• Provide study updates and recruitment metrics to the PI and project leads.
• Assist in training and onboarding students or volunteers supporting the studies.
• Represent the lab professionally at research meetings, conferences, and community outreach events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Psychology, Biology, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred (e.g., MPH, MS, or related field).
• 2–4 years of progressively responsible experience coordinating or supporting human subjects research in academic, community, or clinical settings.
• Completion of CITI Human Subjects Protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training (or willingness to complete upon hire).
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, including demonstrated ability to support across multiple study protocols, timelines, and deliverables with accuracy and accountability. Candidates should have experience using project management or task-tracking software (e.g., Trello, Asana, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Planner) to coordinate research activities and monitor progress.
• Creative communication and outreach abilities, including proficiency with Canva, PowerPoint, and basic social media tools to assist with development of recruitment materials, visuals, or study updates in alignment with research goals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated through experience drafting participant correspondence, preparing IRB materials, or presenting study updates to internal or external partners.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals and communities from varied backgrounds and experiences, including those who may face unique or sensitive health circumstances.
• Applied beginner data management and quantitative analysis skills, demonstrated through experience managing participant tracking spreadsheets, summarizing recruitment metrics, and producing basic tables, figures, and descriptive analyses (e.g., frequencies, cross-tabs, means) using Excel, SPSS, or comparable tools.
• High attention to detail and adherence to data integrity standards, with ability to maintain confidentiality and accuracy in sensitive records.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving ability, particularly in fast-paced or resource-limited research environments.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with research data management platforms such as REDCap, LabKey, Qualtrics, or similar systems, including entering, cleaning, and exporting data for analysis and reports. Candidates with experience developing or managing study databases, data dictionaries, or data quality control processes are especially encouraged to apply.
• Experience working in community-based or health disparities research, demonstrating familiarity with community engagement principles, fieldwork coordination, or collaboration with non-academic partners (e.g., clinics, FQHCs, tribal organizations, churches, or advocacy groups).
• Familiarity with biospecimen handling, labeling, and documentation for clinical or translational research, including adherence to chain-of-custody protocols, temperature tracking, and coordination with laboratory teams.
• Knowledge of institutional research systems and regulatory procedures, including experience with VCU’s RAMS-IRB or other electronic IRB submission platforms, as well as understanding of study renewals, amendments, and compliance monitoring.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred, with ability to assist in participant communication, recruitment, and survey administration in both languages when needed.
• Strong technical and digital literacy, including the ability to create professional study materials, recruitment tools, and data visualizations using platforms such as Microsoft Office, Canva, or Adobe Express.
• Demonstrated flexibility and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to project planning, community engagement, and dissemination efforts (e.g., community reports, posters, or presentations).

Please note VCU is not able to provide ongoing visa sponsorship for this position.

Please let us know if you were referred by a current Massey employee to ensure we honor our commitment to the Employee Referral Program.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

*** This is a restricted role and fully grant funded until June 30, 2027. 

Salary Range: Starting at $48,000 - commensurate with experience

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 93406 - Open

Contact Information

Contact Name: Massey HR
Contact Email: Masseyhr@vcu.edu

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