Research Study Coordinator

Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week, with occasional adjusted hours based on participant scheduling needs. All in-person (no remote work)

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC Adams School of Dentistry Division of Pediatric and Public Health provides oral health care for individuals from infancy through adolescence, and promotes the prevention of oral disease. The Pediatric Dentistry discipline is committed to the treatment of children, adolescents and special needs patients while balancing teaching, scholarship, patient care, research and professional service activities.

The Research Study Coordinator will support the clinical and translational research program led by Dr. Caroline Sawicki in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. This position plays a central role in coordinating human subjects research focused on pediatric orofacial pain, particularly temporomandibular disorders ( TMD), migraine, and related biopsychosocial factors. The coordinator will serve as the primary operational staff member responsible for the day-to-day implementation of multiple ongoing and future studies involving children, adolescents, and their caregivers.

A major focus of this role will be the NIH-funded clinical study on characterizing pressure pain thresholds, orofacial pain symptoms, and psychosocial profiles in adolescents with and without TMD. Responsibilities include participant recruitment and outreach, screening for eligibility, scheduling research visits, preparing study materials, communicating with DDS and undergraduate research assistants, and ensuring timely completion of study procedures. During visits, the coordinator will assist with administering clinical examinations (e.g., pressure pain threshold testing using a Wagner algometer), psychosocial questionnaires, and additional standardized measures. The coordinator will maintain high-quality data collection within REDCap, conduct quality assurance checks, manage study documentation, and ensure adherence to IRB protocols and study-specific standard operating procedures.
The coordinator will also support additional active studies within the research program, including a pediatric migraine research study and other emerging or pilot projects aimed at understanding pain, anxiety, and behavioral responses in pediatric dental populations. Responsibilities include participant communication, regulatory documentation, coordination with clinical faculty and staff, preparation of study materials, and assistance with visit flow. As new studies are funded, the coordinator will play an integral role in launching study operations, drafting recruitment and visit workflows, assisting with IRB submissions and modifications, and supporting pilot data collection.

This position requires strong organizational skills, excellent communication with children, adolescents, and families, and the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, residents, dental students, research assistants, and clinical staff across the Adams School of Dentistry. The coordinator must ensure strict compliance with human subject's protections, HIPAA standards, departmental procedures, and UNC institutional policies. Duties include maintaining detailed logs, scheduling calendars, participant contact documentation, and accurate tracking of recruitment activities across multiple concurrent projects.

The coordinator will serve as a central point of contact for participants and study team members to ensure smooth implementation of study visits, participant retention, and high-quality data capture. Additional responsibilities include maintaining study supplies and equipment, preparing participant incentives through ClinCard/Tango, providing parking validations, coordinating meeting agendas, and contributing to study progress reports and internal communications.

This position requires flexibility, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment. The coordinator must be able to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team setting. As the research program continues to grow, the coordinator will have opportunities to support evolving projects, assist with protocol development, and contribute to the expansion of pediatric orofacial pain research at UNC.

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, neuroscience, biology, public health, dental hygiene, health sciences, or related discipline) from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are essential, with the ability to interact professionally with children, adolescents, caregivers, faculty, staff, and student research assistants.

Experience working with human subjects in U.S.-based research, clinical, or academic setting is required. Candidates must demonstrate familiarity with research procedures such as participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, informed consent/assent processes, administration of questionnaires, and data collection. The ability to follow study protocols and standard operating procedures with high reliability and attention to detail is essential. Candidates must maintain confidentiality of protected health information and comply with HIPAA, IRB regulations, and UNC institutional policies.

Competence with computer software and data entry is required, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to learn new electronic data capture systems. Applicants must be able to maintain detailed participant logs, communication records, and accurate documentation across all study activities.

Candidates must demonstrate strong organizational skills, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced research environment. The coordinator must be able to work both independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with pediatric populations, and maintain professionalism during clinical research procedures.

This position requires the ability to work occasional adjusted hours to accommodate participant availability. A commitment to high-quality research conduct, participant safety, ethical standards, and consistent follow-through on assigned responsibilities is essential.

Experience coordinating human subjects research involving children or adolescents is strongly preferred. Prior work in clinical, behavioral, dental, or pain-related research settings is highly desirable, particularly experience administering questionnaires, conducting participant interviews, or supporting clinical visit procedures. Candidates with familiarity in orofacial pain, pediatric pain, psychology, neuroscience, or related health sciences will be well-suited for this position.

Preference will be given to applicants with experience using REDCap or comparable electronic data capture platforms, particularly those who have managed longitudinal datasets, performed data quality checks, or maintained detailed documentation across multiple phases of study activities. Experience working within IRB-regulated environments including preparation of regulatory documents, submission of modifications, creation of study logs, or maintenance of SOPs is highly desirable.

Strong organizational abilities and demonstrated initiative in managing workflows, prioritizing competing tasks, and independently troubleshooting common challenges in research operations are highly valued. Experience coordinating scheduling workflows, interacting with multiple stakeholders, or maintaining recruitment and tracking logs is preferred. Candidates with prior experience communicating with families, especially within health-related or academic environments, will excel in this role.

Experience working in interdisciplinary teams, including faculty, clinicians, residents, students, and research assistants, is preferred, as is the ability to provide guidance or support to trainees involved in recruitment and data collection. Familiarity with pediatric clinical settings, dental clinics, or outpatient environments is helpful but not required.

Technical competencies such as proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, secure data handling, and digital communication platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams) are preferred. Applicants with experience conducting clinical procedures such as basic anthropometric measurements, observational coding, or standardized assessments, or a willingness to learn clinical tasks such as pressure pain threshold testing, are highly desirable.

Candidates who demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, a high level of professionalism, and a commitment to ethical research conduct are preferred. The ability to maintain composure, communicate clearly, and support pediatric participants and their caregivers in research settings is especially valuable. Experience working in fast-paced, evolving research programs or assisting with the launch of new projects is a significant asset.

A strong interest in pediatric research, pain research, behavioral science, or clinical dentistry, and a desire to contribute to a growing, multifaceted research program, is highly desirable. Candidates with prior experience in research coordination or an interest in pursuing advanced training in health-related fields (e.g., dentistry, medicine, psychology, public health) are encouraged to apply.

The position requires the ability to work in a clinical research environment involving children and adolescents. The coordinator must be able to stand for extended periods during study visits, move between clinic spaces, and assist with the setup and operation of research equipment. The role requires the ability to lift, carry, or move study materials and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Fine motor skills are required for tasks such as handling study devices, preparing materials, and accurately performing standardized clinical procedures.

The position requires sustained concentration, attention to detail, and the ability to follow complex study protocols with high accuracy. The coordinator must be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and adapt to changing schedules or participant needs. Strong interpersonal communication skills are essential, particularly the ability to interact with pediatric participants and their caregivers in a calm, supportive, and professional manner.

The coordinator must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, comply with HIPAA regulations, and work with protected health information in secure systems. The role may require occasional adjusted work hours to accommodate participant availability. The ability to respond appropriately in unexpected or stressful situations, exercise sound judgment, and maintain professionalism in a busy clinical and research environment is essential.

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.