Research Specialist - Office of Research and Scholarly Activities, School of Nursing 18555

West Virginia University's School of Nursing is currently accepting applications for a Research Specialist. 

About the Opportunity

As a Research Specialist, you will be responsible for working collaboratively with faculty and staff in the school and assist faculty members with the implementation of funded and non-funded research projects. You will also assist and facilitate faculty on project set up including IRB application and data management support (set up various types of databases, data cleaning, analyzing, and reporting). This position reports to the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Nursing.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible non-classified staff position)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs  

What you'll do:

50% Grant and Scholarship Support

• Support research/scholarship activities for new and ongoing research studies, such as:
  • Literature review and annotated bibliography preparation (using APA, AMA or others).
  • Scheduling meetings with multiple people; creating and leading Zoom meetings as requested.
  • Must be able to keep up with critical aspects of multiple research and quality improvement projects occurring simultaneously.
• Identification of new avenues of research within the school and notify the proper research personnel.
• Assist the PI to work with Business Office/Budget Analyst and HSC Pre- and Post-Award support centralized services through the Office of Research and Graduate Education to prepare grant submission.
• Work in conjunction with Business Office/Budget Analyst to assist the PI/faculty on grant budget preparation.
• Assist the PI/faculty on preparing the grant documentation i.e., Biosketches, budget justification etc. 
• Assist the study team with IRB development/submission/revisions. 
• Assist in developing the research protocol and informed consent documents.
• Provide training to research personnel; develop and manage a participant pool; build relationships with recruitment centers. 
• Advise and educate members of the study team on effective strategies for participant management to minimize attrition.
• Proactively identify and remove/minimize barriers to research.
• Assist PI with recruitment and training new study personnel on policies and guidelines of West Virginia University. 
• Assist the PI to maintain the best practice of grant management during the period of the grant award.   

30% Data Management

• Develop tools to forward future research; such as, the development of a de-identified large data set of descriptive variables from the school of nursing research programs. Assist in building a large dataset with common nursing variables. Develop SPSS data files for commonly used instruments (including syntax for scoring).
• Assist in data analysis, paper/poster/presentation development to enhance rate of dissemination.
• Collect, manage, and screen research data. Secure bio statistical and epidemiological assistance with study manuscripts as needed.
• Preset data tool (measures, datasets, syntax, etc.) for upcoming research programs.

20% Quality Improvement and Other Responsibilities

• Participate in precepting students in Research Project per IRB regulations. (i.e. trainee, or Research Assistant position).
• Actively participate in departmental meetings and other initiatives related to research and scholarship.
• Disseminate and/or present changes to departments and advise on the implementation of changes and on the impact of changes on funded operations.
• Familiar with MyExpenses, MyTravel and Mountaineer Marketplace to be able to advise the PI/faculty to ensure the compliance with Federal, State WVU and SON policies and procedures.
• Work in conjunction with Associate Dean of Research on research and other scholarship development activities upon request.

• Master’s degree in relevant research experience in Nursing or Public Health OR an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in research administration.
• Experience creating and/or managing larger databases.
• Skilled in Microsoft office, including Excel and related software applications.
• Must be able to multi-task while still attending to critical details.
• Must be punctual and organized with time management skills and able to works under the pressure of frequent deadlines.
• Works with confidential information and materials.
• Need a high level of reading comprehension skills and proficient writing skills.
• Knowledge of federal, state, university funding policies and regulations. Training will be provided, but self-directed individuals who can work with minimal supervision will be the most successful in this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• IRB protocol experience.

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Why WVU?

At West Virginia University, we pride ourselves on a tireless endeavor for achievement. We are home to some of the most passionate, innovative minds in the country who push their limits for the sake of progress, constantly moving the world forward. Our students, faculty and staff make this institution one of the best out there, and we are proud to stand as one voice, one university, one WVU. Find out more about your opportunities as a Mountaineer at https://talentandculture.wvu.edu/. 

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.