"Research Associate"

Overview

The Research Associate will support NIH-funded implementation trials in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by coordinating day-to-day study operations, ensuring completion of research aims, and maintaining effective communication between Yale investigators and international partners. Working closely with the Data Manager and the Research Manager, the candidate will manage project timelines, support IRB submissions and regulatory compliance, oversee data collection across multiple sites, and ensure data quality. The position also involves the analysis of quantitative and mixed-methods data to generate timely insights, as well as preparation of progress reports and scientific manuscripts for dissemination.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Project Management and Coordination: ability to manage complex, multi-country study timelines, deliverables, and communication across diverse stakeholders.
2. Regulatory and Compliance Expertise: knowledge of NIH policies, IRB processes, and human subjects protections to ensure ethical and timely conduct of research.
3. Data Management and Quality Oversight: skills in harmonizing, monitoring, and verifying data from multiple international sites to maintain consistency and scientific rigor.
4. Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis: ability to clean, manage, and analyze complex implementation trial data, including site-level indicators and mixed-methods results, to prepare scientific reports and manuscripts.
5. Fluency in Russian: ability to communicate effectively with local partners, research staff, and government stakeholders across Central Asia, facilitating collaboration, accurate data collection, and smooth project implementation.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Master's degree in a related field (e.g., public health, social sciences).
2. Proven experience preparing IRB protocols, amendments, and progress reports.
3. Proven experience with clinical trials, including patient recruitment and regulatory submissions.
4. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R).
5. Prior experience working on large-scale research studies or multi-visit projects.

Required Certifications: Certifications in HIPAA compliance, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and Human Subjects Protection.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Carries out research within the scope of the established study protocol. Adheres to all human subjects regulations as defined by Yale University and the federal government that pertain to research studies.
2. Develops criteria for admission of study subjects based on goals and objectives of project.
3. Determines potential sources of funding and prospective partnerships.
4. Evaluates feasibility of accepting potential projects through analysis of staffing needs, resource requirements, financial costs, and current planned capacity of group. Negotiates contracts and/or changes with funder.
5. Develops original HIC/IRB submissions. Based on knowledge of science and research goals, collaborates with PIs on major revisions and contributes to scientific protocols. Plans and implements changes.
6. Develops forms, questionnaires and the application of research techniques; writes procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
7. Responsible for the documentation and transmission of study data. Ensures that report forms are accurately documented and completed in a timely manner at each site location.
8. Works independently to develop manage and organize multi site studies. Serves as primary coordinator between University, non-Yale collaborators, pharmaceutical companies, HIC, IRB and funding sources.
9. Performs descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
10. Designs and implements quality control measures to ensure accurate collection and processing of data.
11. Contributes in-depth, original thought and relevance to written reports and to the writing of abstracts and manuscripts.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in a related discipline and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.