Research Specialist (Open Rank Entry - Intermediate Professional)

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Colorado School of Public Health | Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity & Diabetes (LEAD) Center

Job Title: Research Specialist (Open Rank Entry - Intermediate Professional)

Position #: 830008 - Requisition #: 35818

Job Summary:

Join the Colorado School of Public Health as a Research Specialist. This position is a key member of the school's Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity & Diabetes (LEAD) Center and will support data collection for the "Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes" (ECHO) study. The goal of the project is to continue follow-up visits with a cohort of approximately 850 participating mom and child dyads. Through this ongoing data collection from mothers and their children, we are studying the metabolic and behavioral factors during pregnancy and early life that contribute to the development of obesity and related health problems.

The Research Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of the ECHO research protocol as conducted by study investigators. This individual will be trained and certified in data collection procedures and will conduct clinic visits with study participants. Visit procedures will include obtaining informed consent, blood and urine collection, anthropometric measurements, physical assessments, neurocognitive assessments, administration of questionnaires, medical record abstraction, and data entry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform informed consent process/ensure that process has occurred, is properly documented, and filed as required.
• Collect biospecimens via venipuncture, urine biospecimens, and physical measurements for study participants.
• Process and ship blood samples to labs for analysis.
• Administer health-related questionnaires to study participants; conduct cognitive and physical assessments according to study protocols.
• Coordinate scheduling and logistics of study visits and program events.
• Enter data from visit forms into a secure electronic database; document, organize, and synthesize data collection procedures as outlined in the manual of operations.
• Participate in study-related travel and offsite clinic events as needed.

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) position and reports to the Project Manager.

Work Location:

Why Join Us:

Onsite - This role is expected to work onsite and is located on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO.

The Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) is a unique and collaborative graduate school that combines the collective expertise of three Colorado universities: the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) in Aurora, Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, and the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colorado. The Colorado School of Public Health is the only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top tier faculty and students from across the country, and providing a vital contribution towards ensuring our region's health and wellbeing. The school's faculty, staff, and students work together to reach underserved populations, share knowledge, and conduct innovative research and community service to actively address public health issues including chronic disease, access to healthcare, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, costly injuries, and more.

The LEAD Center represents a collaboration between the ColoradoSPH and the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine. The LEAD Center is a multidisciplinary research center that investigates and seeks to understand the developmental origins of health and disease, particularly obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the complex interplay of environmental exposures, genetic and epigenetic processes in critical developmental periods in across the lifecourse.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Diversity and Equity:

As the School of Public Health located within the University of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in education and employment, by recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff. We strive to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication, and understanding and encourage applications from diverse racial and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, and veterans, ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

The ColoradoSPH aims to build a diverse and representative academic community that recognizes the importance of social, economic, health, and environmental justice. We strive to promote equity, diversity, and to be a model of inclusive excellence. As a tri-campus partnership, ColoradoSPH stands with academic, practice, and community partners nationwide to condemn racism, injustice, and inequity.

Please click here to learn more about our equity, diversity, and inclusion commitment statement and plan to dismantle structural racism.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnically minoritized individuals, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. In addition, the Anschutz Campus has also been recognized as an Age-Friendly University. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements

Entry Professional - The entry level duties are limited in scope and are performed with guidance and direction from the project manager and other professionals.

• A bachelor's degree in biological sciences, health/medical research, public health, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, healthcare, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

Intermediate Professional - At the intermediate level, the scope of work is expanded, and duties are performed with some independence.

• A bachelor's degree in biological sciences, health/medical research, public health, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, healthcare, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• One (1) year of professional level experience in a clinical research setting working directly with patients/study participants.

A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in phlebotomy and specimen processing strongly preferred.
• Experience collecting research data.
• Experience working with children.
• Working knowledge of epidemiology, environmental health, or chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.
• Bilingual English and Spanish speaking.

Conditions of Employment:

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for occasional study visits in participants' homes.
• Work schedule for this position will be either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday, and will also include at least one weekday evening per week.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to implement and closely follow research protocols.
• Ability to communicate clearly the study procedures to parents and children.
• Data collection skills, including survey administration and collection of physical measurements.
• Organizational skills to process lab results.

How to Apply:

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click "apply" for that reason, we encourage you to go for it!

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum Vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Caylor.Schuldt@cuanschutz.edu.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by January 16, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Salary Range:

The starting target salary for this position has been established as $50,000 - $64,000.

The above salary represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.