Northwestern University · 3 days ago
Research Project Coordinator
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
3+ years expNorthwestern University is seeking a Research Project Coordinator to manage daily operations of a biomedical and social-behavioral research study. The role involves overseeing study performance, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing budgets and protocols.
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Responsibilities
Manages daily operations of a biomedical &/or social-behavioral research study involving multidisciplinary teams of colleagues, sponsors & other external project stakeholders
Monitors study performance, analyzes & review results, & supervises development & implementation of new protocols
Assigns work & supervises study staff & reviews technical operations ensuring that all processes, protocols & procedures are quality controlled & functioning up to standards
Develops implements & administers budgets, grant & administrative procedures
May co-author scientific papers for presentation & publication & coordinates writing, submission & administration of grants
Ensures that all study activities are completed by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)
The Biomedical Project Coordinator’s primary responsibilities include managing the biomedical operations of the RADAR study and supervising the Research Study Coordinator and Research Study Assistant at the Center on Halsted and at 625 N Michigan
This position ensures that all biomedical components of study visits are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory standards
Specific responsibilities include establishing and overseeing biospecimen collection and processing protocols; maintaining laboratory safety and documentation; providing HIV/STI counseling, testing, and referral services; managing inventory and transport of biological samples; ensuring data accuracy and specimen integrity; and maintaining compliance with institutional and federal guidelines
The Biomedical Project Coordinator will also oversee staff training and certification related to biospecimen collection, safety, and data entry; develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for biomedical workflows; and collaborate with study leadership to ensure participant-centered, high-quality research operations
Leads execution & control of a biomedical &/or social science project or research study
Coordinates processing & analysis of data, conduct of experimental tests & procedures
Develops new &/or revised research methodologies
Ensures completion of study activities per protocol including recruitment
Ascertains pretreatment & eligibility requirements
Obtains informed consent
Registers participant with appropriate sponsor
Interviews & obtains medical & social histories
Collects data from medical records
Administers, schedules &/or scores tests
Oversees & manages collection, maintenance, analysis & evaluation of data that will be used in grant submissions, presentations & publications
Ensures that information is entered correctly into databases
Assists PI in reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, formatting, editing, & preparing tables, charts, graphs, progress & final reports, etc
Coordinates between sponsoring agencies, collaborating organizations &/or other research &/or educational institutions
Ensures that all study documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols are completed in a timely manner
Manages lab/study budget & inventory including purchasing of supplies & services ensuring that they are necessary, reasonable & project related
Orders & maintains inventory of study supplies
Distributes intra-departmental charges
Negotiates with vendors, obtain quotes & arrange for demos of large equipment
Trains, directs, assigns duties to & supervises research staff, students, residents &/or fellows
Acts as a mentor in regard to education of junior coordinators
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' research study or other relevant experience required; OR
Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 1 year research study or other relevant experience
Supervisory or project management experience required
Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years
Phlebotomy certification and at least one year of direct experience performing venipuncture and specimen handling required
Demonstrated proficiency in biospecimen collection, labeling, processing, and storage, with attention to chain-of-custody and data integrity
Knowledge of universal precautions, bloodborne pathogen safety, and laboratory biosafety standards (BSL-2)
Ability to maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, refrigerators/freezers, and specimen transport materials
Experience with HIV/STI testing workflows, rapid testing protocols, and linkage-to-care processes
Strong documentation and quality assurance skills, with ability to follow and enforce SOPs
Effective interpersonal communication skills for working with participants in sensitive biomedical contexts
Ability to train and monitor staff in specimen collection and safety procedures
Proficiency with laboratory tracking and data management tools (e.g., REDCap, Excel, or LIMS)
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, participant-centered research environment
Preferred
Certification in HIV counseling and testing in Illinois
Experience managing or coordinating a biomedical research laboratory or clinical collection site
Experience supervising or mentoring biomedical research staff
Experience with MedSpeed or other specimen transport and logistics systems
Experience working directly with LGBTQ and/or HIV-positive participants in research or clinical settings
Experience developing SOPs or QA/QC systems for specimen collection and laboratory workflows
Familiarity with Northwestern University's research and compliance systems (IRB, ASRSP, OSP)
Knowledge of Chicago communities, neighborhoods, and local public health resources
Familiarity with biomedical best practices for specimen integrity, temperature control, and documentation
Ability to develop training materials and lead laboratory safety and compliance trainings
Knowledge of sexual health and HIV prevention, particularly among sexual and gender minority populations
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team
Benefits
Health care plans
Retirement benefits
Tuition discounts
Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities
Flexible work arrangements
Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care
Employee career development
Company
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university that offers academic programs across various fields of study. It is a sub-organization of Northwestern Athletics.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Northwestern University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (325)
2024 (308)
2023 (280)
2022 (282)
2021 (184)
2020 (155)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$98.02MKey Investors
National Peanut BoardAdvanced Research Projects Agency for HealthGRAMMY Museum
2024-10-30Grant
2024-10-04Grant· $34M
2023-11-28Grant· $0.02M
Leadership Team
Diego Klabjan
Professor
Henry Bienen
Interim President
Recent News
2026-01-11
Digital Journal
2026-01-11
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