Research Coordinator Jobs in Antigua and Barbuda

What is a Research Coordinator?

A Research Coordinator is a pivotal professional in higher education who oversees the planning, execution, and completion of research projects. This role, often found in universities and research institutes, involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams to ensure studies meet scientific, ethical, and regulatory standards. The meaning of Research Coordinator centers on bridging administrative duties with scientific inquiry, making complex research accessible and efficient.

Historically, the position emerged in the post-World War II era as governments increased funding for scientific endeavors, evolving from clerical support to strategic leadership amid today's data-driven academia. In simple terms, if a professor dreams up a groundbreaking study, the Research Coordinator turns it into reality.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Research Coordinator

Research Coordinators handle a wide array of tasks. They develop research protocols, secure institutional review board (IRB) approvals—ethical oversight bodies ensuring participant safety—and manage participant recruitment and data collection. Budget oversight, including grant applications and reporting to funders like national science foundations, is core.

• Supervise research assistants and ensure compliance with protocols.
• Analyze preliminary data using tools like statistical software.
• Liaise with stakeholders, from faculty to external partners.
• Prepare publications and presentations for conferences.

In practice, this means troubleshooting delays, such as equipment shortages, while maintaining project timelines.

Research Coordinators in Antigua and Barbuda

In Antigua and Barbuda, a twin-island nation in the Caribbean, Research Coordinator jobs align with regional priorities. Institutions like the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus emphasize studies in climate change adaptation, marine biodiversity, and sustainable tourism—vital given the country's reliance on eco-tourism. Coordinators here navigate smaller budgets, often from Caribbean Development Bank grants, fostering collaborations with international partners.

For example, projects might track coral reef health amid rising sea temperatures, requiring local knowledge of Antigua's coastal ecosystems.

Required Academic Qualifications, Expertise, Experience, and Skills

Required academic qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field like biology, social sciences, or public health is the minimum; a Master's is standard, with PhDs preferred for leadership roles in higher education.

Research focus or expertise needed: Proficiency in quantitative or qualitative methods, depending on the discipline, with familiarity in grant writing for bodies like the Inter-American Development Bank.

Preferred experience: 2-5 years in research settings, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and successful grant awards. Experience with clinical trials or field studies is a plus.

Skills and competencies:

• Project management (e.g., using Gantt charts).
• Strong ethics knowledge and communication for team leadership.
• Data analysis with software like R or NVivo.
• Adaptability in multicultural, resource-limited environments.

To excel, build a portfolio showcasing past projects; tips on crafting standout applications are available in how to write a winning academic CV.

Career Advancement and Tips for Research Coordinator Jobs

Aspiring coordinators can start as research assistants, gaining hands-on experience before stepping up. Networking at events like Caribbean research symposia opens doors. For those in Antigua and Barbuda, monitoring research assistant success strategies adapts well to local contexts.

Actionable advice: Pursue certifications in research ethics (e.g., CITI Program) and stay updated on trends like AI in data management via research jobs boards.

Definitions

Institutional Review Board (IRB): An independent ethics committee that reviews research proposals to protect human subjects.

Grant Writing: The process of preparing proposals to secure funding from sponsors for research initiatives.

Peer-Reviewed Journals: Academic publications where articles undergo expert scrutiny before acceptance.

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