Research Specialist IV - Eye Research

**Position is onsite 4 days per week in Seattle.  Candidate must reside within a commutable distance and there is no relocation assistance for this role. 

This position is to work on a research project studying the aging eye to better understand Alzheimer-s disease and the aging brain, conducting in-person eye exams (OCT, OCTA, vision, eye pressure) with older adults. The job includes conducting eye exams using OCT/OCTA machines and performing visual acuity and eye pressure exams.

With direction from the Research Project Manager, operationalizes and implements protocols and procedures on research project(s). Oversees broad-based enrollment, recruitment, and/or data collection procedures. Independently performs and/or oversees complex data collection activities. May assist with budget development and compliance, and with ensuring that IRB regulations and timelines are met. May function as a project manager for small, simple studies. May oversee ad-hoc initiatives or special projects. Must be qualified to give direction to other study staff and assist with hiring (act as lead though not as direct supervisor). Receives no instruction on routine work and minimal instruction on new projects. Requires research experience and the frequent use of independent judgment and discretion in non-routine matters.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Recruitment/Data Collection Activities: a) Independently oversees (and may perform) complex recruitment and/or data collection activities requiring specialized skills, education, or experience (e.g., medical record reviews, interviews, mailed questionnaires, physical measurements, and quality assurance). b) Implements operational activities of research project in adherence to study timelines. c) May provide operational consultation to research project teams in specialized areas of data collection.
• Systems/Tracking - Development & Maintenance a) In partnership with the Project Manager, develops & implements a broad array of data collection instruments, protocols and systems to manage recruitment, enrollment, follow-up, and data quality. b) Develops (and may maintain) computer files, databases, and/or computer tracking systems for project documentation, monitoring, data collection, and data quality. This may include systems that require a sophisticated understanding of research methodology. c) Ensures proper maintenance of project documentation in compliance with regulations.
• Project Management a) May oversee day-to-day operational activities of a research project. b) May assist with IRB submissions, HIPAA compliance, budget development & monitoring, and/or federal & funding agency reporting. c) May function as the project manager of simple research studies that are small in scope. d) Under the supervision of Project Manager, may summarize literature reviews and assist in the writing of progress reports, presentations, grant proposals, and manuscripts. e) May oversee ad-hoc initiatives or special projects (or phases of larger initiatives) related to needs of KPWHRI, Research Operations, or the Research Specialist group.
• Training/Oversight/Mentoring a) Trains and/or provides coaching and mentoring to study staff. May assist in hiring study staff.
• Administration & Communication a) Participates as part of the research team by attending meetings, recording minutes, identifying and communicating problems, and proposing solutions. b) May provide administrative support for the research study, including ordering supplies, scheduling/coordinating meetings, filing, copying, etc. c) Plays an active leadership role in the Research Specialist group (and may participate in the Project Manager group), serving on workgroups or providing feedback to RO leadership.

Job Summary:

• Promotes learning in others by proactively providing and/or developing information, resources, advice, and expertise with coworkers and members; builds relationships with cross-functional/external stakeholders and customers. Listens to, seeks, and addresses performance feedback; proactively provides actionable feedback to others and to managers. Pursues self-development; creates and executes plans to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; leads by influencing others through technical explanations and examples and provides options and recommendations. Adopts new responsibilities; adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approaches to work; champions change and helps others adapt to new tasks and processes. Facilitates team collaboration to support a business outcome.
• Completes work assignments autonomously and supports business-specific projects by applying expertise in subject area and business knowledge to generate creative solutions; encourages team members to adapt to and follow all procedures and policies. Collaborates cross-functionally and/or externally to achieve effective business decisions; provides recommendations and solves complex problems; escalates high-priority issues or risks, as appropriate; monitors progress and results. Supports the development of work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines; identifies resources to accomplish priorities and deadlines. Identifies, speaks up, and capitalizes on improvement opportunities across teams; uses influence to guide others and engages stakeholders to achieve appropriate solutions.
• Contributes to the execution of research studies by: independently conducting research surveys, focus groups, qualitative interviews, or other data gathering activities for moderately complex projects while providing guidance to more junior personnel; developing training materials and resources for data collection and project support activities, under guidance, while ensuring effective knowledge transfer to team members; ensuring open-ended/qualitative data is adequately prepared for analysis and/or conducting basic statistics or qualitative analyses to assist investigators with data analysis; implementing data quality control and quality assurance measures in consultation with PI or project manager; implementing protocols and systems for recruitment, enrollment, consenting, and follow-up with participants; and responding to participants about issues escalated by project staff while suggesting improvements to investigators or project managers.
• Contributes to the development of research materials and procedures by: guiding and mentoring others on the development of study materials including surveys, flyers, brochures, and newsletters and implementing study protocols and/or operation manuals; and providing subject matter expertise to inform the implementation and/or design of research studies and/or study methodology connected to an investigators research agenda.
• Coordinates the documentation and reporting of research study activities by: developing tools, systems, and forms for project tracking and documentation in consultation with the PI and/or project manager; and monitoring the progress of study activities and escalating issues to project managers or investigators.
• Leads research support operations by: leading the day-to-day operations of projects; coordinating and allocating resources for research studies; contributing to the management of project budgets and/or ensuring projects remain within budgetary constraints; assisting investigators with the development and preparation of grant proposals and/or participating in discussions with leadership or funding agencies; drafting Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, amendments, continuing reviews, and other documentation; drafting Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, amendments, continuing reviews, and other documentation; and following and supporting the investigator/project manager in ensuring project team compliance with federal and local regulations, standard operating procedures, and IRB approved protocols and maintaining compliance for handling research data.