Human Subject Research Specialist I

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering an inclusive community and is seeking a Human Subject Research Specialist I. The role involves overseeing participant screening, assessment, and retention for a study focused on Deaf individuals with mental health disorders, requiring fluency in American Sign Language and knowledge of Deaf culture.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a bilingual (American Sign Language and English) Clinical Research Coordinator/ Research Associate to work remotely on a study with Deaf individuals, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The CRC will have background knowledge of Deaf mental health

Under the general guidance of the principal investigator (PI), with latitude for exercise of independent judgment, the CRC will oversee the screening, assessment, and retention of participants in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a cognitive behavioral intervention to promote treatment-seeking among Deaf adults with mental health disorders

The CRC will screen all participants for eligibility in the trial, collect informed consent to enroll participants (n = 110), and conduct baseline assessments (including mental health and suicide risk assessments)

The CRC will also coordinate scheduling (e.g. and conduct 2- and 4-month follow-up assessments with all participants

All study activities will be conducted on Zoom

The CRC will assist the PI with data management

The CRC will be trained and supervised by the PI, Aileen Aldalur

This job requires fluency in ASL, knowledge of and immersion in the Deaf community, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and preferably commitment for up to 4 years

This is a full-time position (40 hours/week)

Complete suicide risk assessment and management training with study PI

Conduct mental health and suicide risk assessments in American Sign Language (ASL) with Deaf study participants at baseline and follow-up appointments

Assessments include measures of depression, suicide risk, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, alcohol use disorder, beliefs about mental health treatment, and acculturative stress

Appropriately respond to any participant safety concerns and seek consultation from the study PI as indicated by the study safety protocol

Utilize Deaf cultural knowledge, ASL skills, and clinical judgment to effectively convey necessary information and ensure the participant’s comprehension of the assessment measures without compromising the information collected

Utilize interpersonal skills, clinical knowledge, and clinical judgment to develop and maintain rapport, encourage personal disclosure of sensitive material, and follow ethical principles to maintain participant well-being and safety

Collaborate with study PI to provide appropriate support, information, and access to services (when needed) to participants in distress, following the study’s safety protocol

Maintain security of study data and follow the study protocol for confidentiality and storage of data

Present participation information at weekly meetings with the PI to ensure the well-being and safety of all participants

Assist with developing ASL videos for recruitment, posting study information, and appropriately responding to inquiries

Utilize the Deaf Database (STUDY00004252), to identify and recruit eligible participants

Monitor the study email account to appropriately respond to participant inquiries and schedule initial screening appointments with participants on Zoom

Coordinate and conduct initial eligibility screening for potential participants

Assist the PI in creating and monitoring an eligibility database

Use independent clinical judgment, with supervision from the PI, when conducting eligibility screens to provide an overview of the study and collect sensitive information

Conducting eligibility screens requires clinical skill in clearly presenting the study rationale, design, and procedures to diverse Deaf participants with varying language needs

The eligibility screens include conducting mental health screening assessments which require some basic clinical skills

Provide eligibility reports to the PI on a weekly basis (i.e., number screened, number eligible, etc.) to promote steady recruitment, ensure the study meets recruitment milestones, coordinate scheduling, maintain a steady flow of participants through the trial, and promote, participant retention

Complete and document the informed consent process with eligible participants

Assist the PI in documenting study flow data in a timely, accurate manner per study protocol

Assist the PI in filing, retrieving, and maintaining participant and study data

Actively participate in study team meetings to promote team coordination and cohesion

Discuss participant safety and retention information with the PI during weekly meetings as needed

Take minutes for study team meetings, to be reviewed by the PI within one week of the meeting

Complete, as needed, tasks to support the day-to-day operations of the study

Resource tracking, meeting room reservations, etc

Copying, filing, and other duties as assigned

Coordinate scheduling and send out email reminders for meetings

Preferred

Highly organized and detail-oriented with ability to collaborate with others

Familiarity IRB procedures

Familiarity with REDCap

IRB procedures

REDCap

Highly organized

Detail-oriented

Collaboration

Company

Private research university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Rochester, New York, USA

https://www.rochester.edu/

Founded in 1850

10001+ employees

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required

Associate's degree and completion of 6 months in the Human Subject Research Coordinator Trainee program required

1 year of experience in human subject research coordination, or equivalent combination of education and experience clinical work with Deaf individuals (i.e., psychology, social work, counseling, etc.) required

The Research Coordinator must maintain eligibility to participate in research involving human subjects by completing the Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) and NIH's Good Clinical Practice training. This position also requires participation in available cultural competency training; required

Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and capable of adapting to the language needs of diverse Deaf individuals required (i.e., signing style variations, language deprivation, etc.)

Experience working with the Deaf community required

Highly organized and detail-oriented with ability to collaborate with others

Familiarity IRB procedures

Familiarity with REDCap

Required skills

American Sign Language (ASL), Human Subject Research Coordination, Mental Health Assessment, Suicide Risk Assessment, Clinical Research Coordination, Deaf Community Experience, Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP), NIH Good Clinical Practice Training, REDCap, IRB Procedures

Preferred skills

Familiarity IRB procedures, Familiarity with REDCap, Glassdoor, 3.9, Rochester, New York, USA, https://www.rochester.edu/, H1B Sponsorship, Data Powered by, Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship, 48, Represents job field similar to this job, Education and Training, Engineering and Development, Customer Service and Support, Management and Executive, Human Resources, Accounting and Finance, Creatives and Design, Trends of Total Sponsorships, *2026, (126), 2025, (233), 2024, 2023, (130), 2022, (106), 2021, (100)

Experience

1+ years